Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTO-CHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION OF KASHMARYADI GHRITA - A HERBAL FORMULATION FOR RECURRENT ABORTION

Megha Gupta*, L. P. Dei, Harisha C. R. and V. J. Sukla

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In Ayurveda, every substance can be used as a drug if used. Though many medicines are mentioned in our ancient Ayurvedic literature, they need to be standardized to ensure their quality, identity, safety and efficacy. Pregnancy is a physiological process of reproduction during which various changes take place in a woman’s body. Among various complications seen in pregnancy, abortion (Garbhasrava/Garbhapata) is one of the most common problem seen in today’s era due to changed lifestyle, diet and stress. Kashmaryadi Ghrita is mentioned by Acharya Charaka and Acharya Vagbhata in Putraghni and Raktayoni Yonivyapad in Ayurveda which denote recurrent abortion in modern science. The present work was carried out to standardize the finished product Kashmaryadi Ghrita to confirm its identity, uality and purity. Aim: To develop the pharmacognostical and phyto-chemical profile of Kashmaryadi Ghrita. Material and Methods: Kashmaryadi Ghrita was prepared as per classical methods and analytical findings were systematically recorded. The samples were subjected to organoleptic analysis, physico-chemical analysis and High performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) examination by optimizing the solvent systems. Results and Conclusions: Pharmacognostical profile of Kashmaryadi Ghrita was established. The presence of prismatic crystals, rhomboidal crystals, brown content, spool cells, epicarp cells, mesocarp cells, simple and compound starch grains, lignified fibres, lignified stone cells, stone cells, fibres, scleroid, fragment of testa with brown content were the characteristic features observed in the microscopy of the drug combination. Physico-chemical analysis showed refractive index of Kashmaryadi Ghrita as 1.4710, specific gravity 0.9096, iodine value 18.086, saponification value 193.308 and acid value 1.5990. HPTLC fingerprinting profile of Kashmaryadi Ghrita revealed 7 spots at 254 nm and 1spot at 366 nm.

Keywords: Organoleptic, Pharmacognosy, Abortion, Kashmaryadi Ghrita, Physico-chemical.