STIGMASTEROL VARIATION IN A MEDHYA RASAYAN PLANT (CENTELLA ASIATICA L.: APIACEAE) COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS

Medhya Rasayanas are group of medicinal plants described in Ayurveda (Indian system of medicine) with multi-fold benefits, specifically to improve memory and intellect by Prabhava. The study deals with the estimation of stigmasterol content, a chief ingredient in the Centella asiatica, (a part of Medhya Rasayana) collected from different regions of India. Stigmasterol is a chief phytosterol in this neurologically important plant, which has been proved as a useful substance in medication of Alzheimer's disease. The plant collected from Panvel was observed the best source of stigmasterol (0.0582%) as compared to others.