Standardization and Quality Evaluation of Kampilla

Kampilla is an important herbal drug of indigenous system of medicine. Fruit dust of Mallotus philippensis Muell-Arg constitutes the genuine drug Kampilla. However, due to limited distribution of this plant and its high medicinal value, the drug is heavily adulterated with the cheaper substances. Hence the present study was undertaken to evaluate both the authentic and market samples. The drug consists of resin glands and trichomes. Resin glands are lined by a delicate yellowish thin membrane and bear a pore at the tip. Quantitative standards of the drug powder showed 82.50% yield in total ash while alcohol soluble extract of market and authentic sample exhibit 0.97% and 3.458% respectively. The main adulterant noticed in the market sample is brick powder. Simple methods are suggested to identify the genuine drug.