Standardization of Dushivishari Agad the formulation of Sushrut: A pharmaceutico-analytical study

Abstract

Background: Dushivishari Agad (DA) is a herbo-mineral formulation mentioned by Sushrut has been used for the treatment of Dushi visha (latent poison) and other poisonous conditions. Most of the ingredients of DA possess pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti- microbial, immunomodulatory and hepato-protective etc. The revalidation and standardization of DA of Sushrut is not profiled till date. The present study evaluates standard manufacturing process and analytical data of DA. Objective: To investigate the organoleptic, physicochemical and chromatographical parameters of DA. Methods: DA was prepared as per the procedure given in classical text, Sharangdhar Samhita. Standardization with parameters like organoleptic parameters (colour, odour, taste), physicochemical parameters (loss on drying, acid- insoluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive, water soluble extractive and pH), chromatographical parameter (HPTLC) were done. Observation: The study confirmed pH 5.01, loss on drying 2.44%, acid insoluble ash 11.79%, total ash value 21.11%, water soluble extractive 18.17% and alcohol soluble extractive 14.13%. In HPTLC, the matching Rf of around 0.56 suggests that DA contains piperine. The unique Rf values obtained at different wavelengths suggest the presence of other components in the formulation and can be used as a fingerprint to identify DA. Conclusion: This study provides the qualitative and quantitative data for standardisation of DA.