STANDARDIZATION OF MARKETED HERBAL PRODUCT KAWACH BEEJ CHURNA

Rajmahammad Husen Shaikh*, Mojsin J. Jamadar 1

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicines are the most ancient form of health care known to human beings. It consists of plant or its part to treat injuries, disease or illnesses and is used to prevent and treat diseases and ailments or to promote health and healing. It is a drug or preparation made from a plant or plants and used for any of such purposes. Now a day, approximately 70% of "synthetic" medicines are derived from plants. Organoleptic evaluation revealed that Kawach churna MK-3 was observed to be whitish brown in color. Results of Extractive value demonstrated that water soluble extractive value and alcohol soluble extractive value of product MK-3 was lesser as compared to products MK-1, MK-2 and LB-1. Phytochemical studies exhibited presence of Alkaloids, Steroids, Saponins, and Tannins in all the four products. Ash value determination revealed that the acid insoluble ash of all the products was within range < 1%, but acid insoluble ash of product MK-3 was more as compared to products MK-1, MK-2 and LB-1, which indicates presence of sand or earth material in product MK-3. Moisture content of all the products were within acceptable ranges < 5 % w/w. But as product MK-3 contained more moisture it is more prone to microbial contamination and enzymatic degradation. When all the four products were subjected for Microbial Limit test, all the compounds demonstrated growth of non-pathogenic micro-organisms but growth of the pathogenic micro-organisms was not observed. Product MK-2 may be better than products MK-1 and MK-3 in view of safety and efficacy, as it contains higher quantity of active markers. TLC showed yellow spot having Rf value 0.73 in n-butanol: Glacial Acetic Acid: Water (8:2:2) (v/v/v) solvent system. UV and IR spectra of isolated and standard marker compound (Levodopa) showed similar results.

Keywords: NA