Biomarkers a tool for validation of Herbs and Spices

Since ancient times Piper species were not only used as medicine but also as spice. It is, therefore, necessary to standardize the Piper species on the basis of its biological potentials. In view of this, present work was carried out on various bioefficacies (viz. antimicrobial and antioxidative assay) of Piper species and their adulterants to generate biomarkers which can be inexpensive, simple, and rapid means of standardization in heterogenous botanical products. Present investigations suggest that these biomarkers are very effective for genuineness of a drug and simultaneously, also prove that the herbals with high antioxidative value (P. chaba RC50 = 0.004 µg/ml) can be safely used for beverages to enhance the quality of the drink with its medicinal potentials. Herbs and herbal products play important role in curing disease and have potential medicinal value but due to increased industrialization adulteration has become a common feature. Hence, standardization of herbals is a current need. Piper species are of high economic and medicinal importance (Nadkarni and Nadkarni, 1954) and several species of Piper are ingredients in the formulation of Ayurveda-Chinese-Unani and Compo-System of medicine. Piper was chemically reviewed by many workers (Parmar et al., 1997; Sengupta and Ray, 1987) but, very little work on their adulteration has been carried out (Madan et al., 1996; Paradkar et al., 2001). Therefore, Piper nigrum Linn. (fruits) and its adulterants [(Carica papaya Linn.(seeds)