Table-IV: Phyto-constituents present in three batches of Bhaskar Lavan Churna

Estimation of Essential oil: The plants constituents of the formulation containing the volatile oil as major constituents, so essential oil would be a parameter for finger printing the formulation. Essential oil of the formulation was estimated by standard procedure using Clevenger apparatus for all three batches of Bhaskar lavan churna. The essential oil was subjected for optical analysis and refractive index is given in the table V.

Table-V: Essential oil % and Refractive index three batches of Bhaskar Lavan Churna: 

Result and Discussion:

Bhaskar lavan churna samples were prepared in laboratory according to Ayurvedic formulary. They were evaluated by comparative analysis for their extractive values (n-hexane, chloroform, solvent ether, methanol and distilled water), ash values (Total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble), Micromeretic parameters (bulk density, true density and angle of repose), Phytochemical evaluation, and Estimation of essential oil. 

The extractive values of Bhaskar lavan churna (mean+ SD of BLC1, BLC2 and BLC3) in

n-hexane, chloroform and solvent ether are found to be (2.48+0.169%,16.78+1.40%, 7.96+0.566%) respectively and that in water and methanol is(50.48+1.49%, 34.73+1.69%)respectively, indicating the presence of almost polar and semi polar constituents in Bhaskar lavan churna.

The ash values for Bhaskar lavan churna (61.81+1.431, 52.88+1.895 and 46.43+0.897)

Respectively for the total, water soluble and acid insoluble ash that shows the presence of inorganic matters as major components.

These analytical findings and data analysis revels that parameters like Extractive values, Ash values, Presence of Phytoconstituents, micromeretic parameters, and Estimation of essential oil all remains in close proximity for each batch of the Bhaskar lavan churna. Hence these parameters and the developed methods for their determination considered as the tool for the quality control of Bhaskar lavan churna which will also assist the regulatory authorities, scientific organizations and manufacturer in developing standards.

References-

1. Ayurvedic formulary of India, Part-1,2^st, edition,Goveanment of India, Ministry of Health and family Planning, Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy, Delhi.

2. ?Sarangadharasamhita?, Madhyamakhanda, Adhyaya  6; 138-141.

3. Sharma R.K. (Translator), Charak Samhita, Bhagwandas Chowkambha Sanskrit series Office, Varansi, 1988,chap,1:1 Para/verse no 51-56,34.

4. Brain, K. R. and Turner, T. D. ?The Practical evaluation of phyto-pharmaceutical? Wright-Scientechina, Bristol, 1975; 36, 81-85,101-102.

5. W.H.O. Quality control methods for plant materials, Geneva 1998,1-40.

6. Martin, A. J., ?Physical Pharmacy?, B. I. Waverly Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi, 4^th edition, 1994, 423-452.

7. ?Pharmacopoeia of India? Ministry of Health and family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, Vol. II 1996 A-53,54,70-75.

Authors: Karunakar Shukla, Swarnalata Saraf, S.Saraf