Pharmaceuticoanalytical Study and Standardization of Panchtikta Ghrita

Abstract

In Ayurveda natural substances like herbs, minerals, fats, metals, animal and marine products are used for the management of various ailments. These natural products can be used directly or after specified procedure. Due to change in habitats and effect of environmental factors there may be change in chemical constitution of these products. For drug efficacy and its reproducibility of therapeutic results, it is essential to standardize the products. Skin diseases account for 10 -20 % of all consultations in general practice. Most common skin complaints are Dermatitis, Eczema, Acne, Urticaria, Psoriasis, skin allergy etc. There are many therapeutic forms of drugs described in classical texts, like vati / gutika (tablets), churna (powder), asava and arista (self-generated alcohol based elixir), snehakalpana (processed medicated oil / skimmed milk fat (ghrita), etc. for skin disorders. Medicated ghritakalpana (GK) are mainly used to alleviated and manage vitiated Vatadosha and Pittadosha. Panch Tikta Ghrita (PTG) is most commonly used GK preparation as Ayurvedic medicine for treatment of skin disorders, as herbs (panchtikta) are best among raktashodhaka (blood purifier) and ghrita is good for skin as well as to pacify vitiated pitta and Vatadosha. Three batches of PTG was prepared with Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Kantakari (Solanum surattense), Patola (Tricosanthes dioica) and ghrita (cow's milk fat) in accordance with Sharangdhar Samhita Madhyamkhanda 9/89-90. Analytical study for standardization was carried out on basis of classically illustrated organoleptic tests and modern parameters of physico-chemical properties like Loss on drying at 110°C, Refractive Index at 40°C, Acid value, Saponification value, Iodine value, Ester value, Peroxide value, Weight per ml, Specific gravity (melted), Melting Point (in °C) and Qualitative Tests was carried out through estimation of Carbohydrate, Protein, Alkaloid, Cardiac glycoside, Flavonoid, Anthraquinone glycoside, Tannin, Steroid, Triterpenoid and Thin Layer Chromatography was done. All test showed a significance changes after processing from raw ghrita. It shows that ghrita incorporates many properties of panchtikta herbs and in this way a range of parameter is established for re-production and therapeutically effectiveness of PTG in standard manner.