Safety Profile Standardization and HPTLC Fingerprint Analysis of Dioscorea bulbifera Linn

Dioscorea bulbifera L. syn: Yam. (Family – Dioscoreaceae) is found commonly in India. Recent pharmacological findings indicate that it tubers possess significant activities like purgative, deflatulent, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic, anthelmintic and is used in haematological disorders, scrofula, syphilis, haemorrhoids, flatulence, diarrhoea, dysentery, worm infestations, general debility, diabetic disorders, polyuric and skin disorders which comply with the claims made in the traditional medicinal texts. However, no conclusive safety profile study and HPTLC finger print of its tubers has been performed yet. The present investigation deals with the safety profile of microbial load, aflatoxin and elemental analysis of the tubers and establishment of the quality parameters including physiochemical and phytochemical evaluation. The Rf values are detected at 254 nm and 366 nm by qualitative densitometric HPTLC fingerprint, can be used as identifying marker for Hydroalcoholic extract. The present studies will the information with respect to identification and authentication of crude drug. Such a study would serve as a useful gauge standardization of tubers material and ensuring the quality formulations.