A FT-IR Spectroscopic Study of Phytoconstituents of Prepared Formulation of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna Lin.) and Shilajatu

In the present study we take the a formulation of arjuna and shilajatu. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technique was employed to understand the composition, chemical structure and discrimination of biomolecules in Terminalia arjuna and shilajatu. The prepared samples were scanned in mid infrared region (4000400cm1) for IR spectroscopic studies. IR spectra thus obtained were analyzed to discriminating and identifying various functional groups present in the prepared formulation The appearance of bending/ stretching modes of various functional groups viz. alkyl, methyl, phenol, alcohols, ethers and carboxylic acids revealed the presence of several biomolecules, amino acids, tannins, flavonoids, amides, lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses and polysaccharides comprising these groups. These polysaccharides are well known to have antioxidant, antitumor and immunity modulator actions. These polysaccharides also resist the damages due to harmful radiations. FTIR spectroscopy has been proved an effective and sensitive assay for the detection of biomolecules contained in prepared samples. This reveals that the IR active phytoconstituents of arjuna and shilajatu. However, it is not fully supported by classic Ayurveda.