Comparative Pharmacognostical and Pharmacological Evaluation of Costus speciosus (Koen) J.E. Sm. Germplasm Collected from Eastern Ghats of India

Background: Costus speciosus is an erect perennial herb belonging to family Costaceae, an important medicinal plant widely used in several indigenous medicinal formulations. Objective: A comparative evaluation of Pharmacognostical and Pharmacological potential of Costus speciosus for the validation of traditional claims and quality parameters for industry. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostical studies were performed as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India and quantification of diosgenin was done through HPTLC. In vitro antidiabetic activity was evaluated by α-amylase inhibition assay based on starch iodine method and in vitro anti-inflammatory were done by using inhibition of protein denaturation assay. Results: The pharmacognostical standards were also laid down for each sample. Morpho-anatomical characters had no distinct variation in all the collected samples of Eastern Ghats. The quantification of diosgenin (without hydrolysis of samples) in the collected germplasm varies significantly from 0.002 to 0.076 % on dry weight basis. The maximum content was recorded in NBCS-06 from Patiya, Bhubaneswar and was identified as distinct chemotype with high metabolite content. IC₅₀ value of Costus speciosus extract in starch-iodine assay was found to be maximum in NBCS- 6 (87.54 μg/ml) and inhibition of protein denaturation assay was found to be maximum in NBCS- 11 (73.91 μg/ml), respectively. Conclusion: The study suggests that the Costus speciosus germplasm possess potential anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity and comparative pharmacognostical parameters will be useful in collection of location specific potential samples for industrial usage along with quality control of raw materials.