Abstract

CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PUNARNAVASAVA, A POLYHERBAL AYURVEDIC FORMULATION

Veena S. Kasture*, Manisha K. Gharate

ABSTRACT

Punarnavasava, a self generated alcoholic formulation containing Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa or B. diffusa), commonly used in Ayurveda to treat arthritic - inflammation was selected for standardization as per WHO guidelines. The main ingredient of the formulation is B. diffusa. Two batches of three brands of each formulation were purchased from market and subjected for phytochemical analysis, determination of pH, acid value, and alcohol content by gas chromatography, metal content by atomic absorption spectroscopy, pesticide residue, and microbial contamination. The formulations (A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1, C2) were evaluated quantitatively using eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside as marker by RP-HPLC. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines. The concentration of eupalitin 3-O-β-Dgalactopyranoside was different in all three brands but batch to batch variation was not very high. The method was accurate, precise, rugged and robust. The extract of B. diffusa and all formulations were subjected for anti-arthritic activity by formalin induced rat paw edema using diclofenac as positive standard. It was observed that the anti-arthritic potential of B. diffusa was related with concentration of eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside.The antiarthritic activity of formulations and B. diffusa extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg was comparable to that of Diclofenac.

Keywords: Boerhaavia diffusa, quantitative parameters, safety parameters, RP-HPLC, Antiarthritic activity.