Physicochemical Properties of Maerua siamensis (Kurz) Pax Heartwood

Abstract

       Maerua siamensis (Kurz) Pax is classiied as a kind of medicinal plant belonging to the family Capparaceae. It is used as a diuretic, antipyretic, prevent/treatment of decayed teeth and nourishment. There is no standard requirement for quality control in Thailand. Thus, the study of physicochemical properties of Maerua heartwood was conducted under the research project “Development of Medicinal Plants used in Local Areas”. Twelve Maerua heartwood samples were collected from natural sources and medicinal plant stores in various parts of Thailand. Preliminary test indicated that steroids, lavonoids, amino acids, saponins and coumarins were found. The speciic chromatogram were detected as TLC ingerprints. Physicochemical properties including moisture content, water extractive content, ethanol extractive content, total ash and acid-insoluble ash content were undertaken following the procedure designated in Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia (THP) vol. I and II. The results were 6.58 ± 1.25, 10.77 ± 2.31, 3.78 ± 1.26, 3.14 ± 0.56 and 0.092 ± 0.035 % w/w respectively. These data shall be used as the information for setting the standard requirements of Maerua heartwood in THP that useful for quality control of Maerua heartwood raw material and products in Thailand.