INTRODUCTION

Poondu churna is one of the most effective formulations used in the treatment of arthritis, constipation, abdominal pain and for improvement of digestion and strengthen immunity. Although it clinically giving better results for dyslipedemia. Polyherbal formulation Churna is prepared by mixing appropriate concentrations of Poondu (Allium sativa), Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), Shunti (Zingiber officianale) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Therapeutic uses of Poondu churna as mentioned in Ayurvedic literatures are in treatment of Gulma (lump in abdomen), Hradroga (heart diseases), Dhoola (Obesity), Pleeha (spleenic disorder), Granthi (cyst), Vibandha (constipation). It was also recommended for use as Dipana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Vadanasamana (analgesic), Shotaprasamana (anti-inflammatory) and Vatanulomana.

Though several studies have been reported on the pharmacognostic and phytochemical characters of each of the components there is no such study on the Churna preparation. Hence the present study was planned to evaluate the pharmacognostic and phytochemical characteristics of Poondu churna prepared by Sankara vaidya, Kozhocodu.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Physico‐chemical studies like total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash, water and alcohol soluble extract, loss on drying at 105°C and successive extractive values by soxhlet extraction method were carried out as per the WHO guide lines5. Preliminary phytochemical tests were performed as per the standard methods.

Completely dried raw materials were purchased from farms and prepared by Sankara vaidya at kozhicodu, Kerala. The Churna was prepared by mixing the ingredients in appropriate proportions (Table 1). All the laboratory analysis of the samples were done in the Inclab Bangalore.

Preparation of polyherbal formulation

All the ingredients were collected, dried and powdered separately, passed through 100 sieve and then mixed together in specified proportions in a geometrical manner to get uniform mixture.

Standardization parameters

The various standardization parameters studied were Organoleptic properties, Physico‐chemical investigations, determination of pH, Fluorescence analysis, Preliminary Phytochemical analysis, determination of moisture content, swelling factor, determination of viscosity, surface tension and density, determination of crude fat and determination of physical characteristics of powder formulation

Organoleptic evaluation

The organoleptic characters of the samples were evaluated based on the method.Organoleptic evaluation refers to evaluation of the formulation by color, odor, taste and texture etc.

Physicochemical investigations

Physico‐chemical investigations of formulations were carried out were the determination of extra-ctive values and ash values.

Determination of pH

1% solution of Polyherbal formulation was prepared in distilled water and pH was determined using pH meter,

Fluorescence analysis Fluorescence characters of powdered plant material with different chemical reagents were determined under ordinary and ultraviolet light9.1 mg of the Polyherbal sample was taken in a glass slide and treated with various reagents for the presence of their fluorescence characters under ultra‐violet lamp.

Preliminary Phytochemical analysis

Preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis of all the extracts was carried out by employing standard conventional protocols 10‐ 12.

Poondu (Allium sativa), Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), Shunti (Zingiber officianale) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

S.No	Sanskrit name	Botanical name	Quantity used
1	Poondu	Allium sativum	20gm
2	Ajowan	Trachyspermum ammi	10gm
3	Shunti	Zingiber officianale	5gm
4	Haritaki	Terminalia chebula	5gm

Table 2. Organoleptic characters

Characters	Inference
Appearance	Churna
Colour	Brown
Odour	Pungent
Taste	Bitter
Texture	Coarse powdery
Particle size	100 Mesh size

Table 3: Physio-chemical extractive characteristics of Poly herbal formulation

S. No	Parameter	Percentage
1	Alcohol soluble extractive	45 + 0.12
2	Hexane soluble extractive	18 + 0.13
3	Chloroform soluble extractive	8+ 0.2
4	Ethyl acetate extractive	15 + 1.2

Table 4. Physiochemical characters of poly herbal formulation

S. No	Parameters	Percentage mean in consecutive 3times
1	Ash value	10.22+ 0.11
2.	Acid insoluble ash	4.33+ 0.18
3	Water soluble ash	7.59 + 1.2
4	Particle size	100 MS
5	pH	7.0

Determination of moisture content and swelling factor

Moisture content was determined by loss on drying (LOD) method. 3 gm of the weighed quantity of the drug was taken and kept in oven at 105 ◦C till a constant weight was obtained. Amount of moisture present in the sample was calculated as reference to the air dried drug. Swelling factor is estimated for the amount of mucilage present in the drug. The technique has been accepted as an official method for evaluation by various pharmacopoeias. One gram of the Polyherbal was taken and kept for 24 hours in a graduated, stoppered cylinder, in contact with the water up to the mark of 20 ml. After 24 hours the increase in volume was noted.

Table 5. Phytochemical analysis of poly herbal churna

S. No	Test	Inference
1	Test for proteins Millions test Ninhydrin test	+ +
2	Test for phenols	+
3	Test for tannins	_
4	Test for glycosides Keller kilani test Libermann’s test Salkowskis test	- - +
5	Test for steroids	+

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Pharmacognostic evaluation of the Churna revealed the brownish green color, astringent taste with aromatic smell. Pharmaceutical evaluation of the Churna revealed the components as given in Table 2 and extractive values are presented in Table 3 & 4. Diagnostic characters of poondu churna under the microscope are mentioned. Five timer levels of aqueous extract (11.2%) compare to alcoholic extract (2.2%) suggest the importance Churna preparation which was also confirmed by the chemical constituents in both extracts. Aqueous extract of the Churna showed higher active constituents compare to alcoholic extract suggesting the medicinal value of the aqueous preparations. Hence the Churna is recommended to be administered orally dissolved in water. The results of preliminary phytochemical analysis of are given in Table‐5.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the study suggest the general characters of the Poondu churna which may be considered as standard and used during the quality evaluation of the drug in the pharmacy. The prepared formulation was screened for various standardization parameters as per auurvedic pharmacopoeial standards. Presence of active components in aqueous extract suggests the scientific reason behind the recommendation of Churna administration dissolving in water.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors are thankful to colleagues of IncLab Bangalore for their assistance in handling this work.

REFERENCES

1. Anonymous, “Indian Pharmacopoeia” Govt. Of India, Ministry of Health, Controller of Publication, Delhi, India, 1996.

2. Khandelwal K.R. “Practical Pharmacognosy, Techniques and Experiments”, Nirali Prakashan; Twentieth edition; 25.6, 23.8-23.10.

3. Harborne J.B. “Phytochemical methods- A Guide to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis”,Third edition; 3-31.

4. Trease and Evans “Pharmacognosy”, 16th edition (International edition); Harcourt Brace and company Asia Pvt. Ltd. Singapore; 131, 228.

5. “The United State Pharmacopeia (USP 31), The National Formulary (NF 26)”, Asian edition, By authority of The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, 2008; Volume I, 188,189,231,639,640.

6. Pharmaceutical chemistry, Inorganic- G.R Chatwal, PP.419-422.

7. “WHO, Quality Control Methods for Medical Plants Materials”, ATTBS Publisher, Delhi, 2002b, 65-67.