Publication:

Physico-analytical study of ghrita formulation indicated in Vataj Artava Dushti with special reference to hypomenorrhoea and oligomenorrhoea

Background To establish safety profile for oral use of a classical Ayurvedic Ghrita formulation indicated in menstrual disorder known as Vataj Artava Dushti recent scientific techniques were used to fulfill the criteria of WHO guidelines for herbal drug formulations like heavy metal content and microbial load estimation, chromatography and others physic- analytical characteristic.

Methods In the present study formulated ghrita sample was selected for estimation of refractive index, total ash value acid, iodine, saponification, loss on drying, PH, fat content, sugar content, heavy metals namely lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), acid value, iodine value, by ICP-MAS, TLC and HPTLC.

Results SEM- EDX shows presence of elements like Carbon, Oxygen and Aluminum, Lead, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc. Refractive index 1.459, total ash 12%, saponification technique 55.26, Iodine value 4.32, acid value 6.6, PH 5.23 Loss on drying 0.32 fat 76.58% and sugar content 13.37%, Mercury <10 ppb, Lead 2.33 ppm, Cadmium 0.20 ppm. Total bacterial count 0.5×103, total fungal count <103. TLC and HPTLC results reveals presence of active compound.

Conclusions The Physico-analytical, heavy metals, microbial and chromatographic study of the formulated ghrita follows the standard parameters. This study can be helpful for the future research regarding establishment of safety profile and therapeutic efficacy of ghrita formulations.