Development and Standardization of Chaturbhadra Kvath Churna

Abstract

Aim: The present study aims to develop pharmacognostical standards, the standard operating procedure (SOP), and analytical profiling including the physicochemical analysis of Chaturbhadra Kvath Churna, an Ayurvedic formulation. Materials and methods: The pharmacognostical (macroscopy, microscopy, and powder drug analysis), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), quantitative physicochemical analysis including loss on drying, alcohol- and water-soluble extractive values, total acid-insoluble ash and pH value were performed as per the standard procedures described in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API). The microbial limit, aflatoxins, heavy metals, and pesticide residues were also determined. Results and discussion: Chaturbhadra Kvath Churna is greyish-brown color with slightly pungent taste. The powder microscopy revealed the presence of hexagonal thin-walled/polygonal/wavy-walled polygonal/stratified cork cells, crystalloid fiber of phloem, unicellular warty trichomes, bordered-pitted/annular/spiral vessels, nonlignified spindle-shaped fibers, stone cells, brown matter, prism-shaped calcium oxalate crystals, volatile oils, and free and compound types of starch grains. The TLC fingerprint was developed using hexane: ethyl acetate: formic acid (4:5:1) as a solvent system. The standardized limits of the physicochemical parameters, microbial count, aflatoxins, heavy metals, and pesticide residues were also laid down. Conclusion: This is the first-ever attempt made in order to develop the SOP and standardized specifications of Chaturbhadra Kvath Churna. Thus, the present study would be useful as the standardized reference protocol for the identification and standardization of this formulation.