"Indian Borage" : A Gift of Nature

Indian Borage (Coleus aromaticus Benth.)is definitely a gift of nature due to its wide medicinal properties.The plant is a herb coming under the family Labiatae/Lamiaceae. This is now widely cultivated in India and world over. But detailed study on its economic potentialities are lacking.This is an investigation on the phytochemical,antibacterial,antifungal and anthelmintic properties of the leaf extracts. Phytochemical compounds of the plant were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. It showed the presence of reducing sugar, flavonoids,steroids, terpenoids, tannin, coumarin, saponin and anthraquinone except glycosides. In the present study, the quantitative analysis of various biochemicals were also evaluated. Of these highest percentage of moisture is present ie. 90% and least percentage of phenol ie. 0.3 mg/g fresh tissue.The plant extracts, Coleus aromaticus in various solvents showed effective anthelmintic and antibacterial effects. On the otherhand, they showed very poor effect as an antifungal agent. By analysing the previous reports and the present studies, the plant extracts of Coleus aromaticus can be used as an antibacterial and anthelmintic agent.

Autorentext

Dr.Sajan Maranad@ Oommen P. Saj is now working as Associate Professor of Botany at University College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. He has 28 years of teaching experience and 12 years research experience in the field of botany and plant science.