A COMPARATIVE PHARMACOGNOSY STUDY OF BLACK AND WHITE SEEDS OF KAPIKACCHU (MUCUNA PRURIENS (L.) DC.)

Background:  Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.) belonging to the family Fabaceae is commonly known as Velvet bean, Cowitch, Cowhage in English and Kawaanch, Kavach in Hindi. It is mainly distributed in Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands and the United State. Kapikacchu is very famous plant for its aphrodisiac effect. Traditionally it is being used as a potent antiparkinsonian, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac and nervine tonic. In market two types of seeds (black and white) are available and are being used simultaneously in the name of Kapikacchu. No data is yet available in context of the comparative pharmacognosy of black and white seeds of Kapikacchu. The aim of present article is to put forward the comparative pharmacognostical analysis of both types of Kapikacchu seeds. Methods: Macroscopic evaluation, microscopic evaluation, physicochemical evaluation, extractive values, phytochemical analysis, T.L.C. study were carried out using both varieties of Kapikacchu seeds and comparative data was obtained. Results: Data pertaining to the above cited evaluations was recorded for both varieties of seeds of Kapikacchu. Conclusion: All the values hence obtained were subjected to comparison with their corresponding standard values as mentioned in API. It was observed that all the values were under their normal range.