Abstract

STANDARDIZATION OF THE DRUG AMUKKARA CHOORANAM – A SIDDHA POLYHERBAL FORMULATION

M. Amala*, R. Vinodini, A. M. Amala Hazel, M. Meenakshi Sundaram and V. Banumathi

Abstract

Amukkara chooranam is a well-known polyherbal formulation in Siddha system of medicine which is selected by the author for standardisation. Aim and Objective of this study was to assess the quality of the drug Amukkara chooranam by conducting physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical analysis and other analytical techniques. Physicochemical analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis was done based on the standard text books. Other analytical technique like High Performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) finger printing was done using CAMAG. The physicochemical analysis of the drug Amukkara choornam showed 8.3±3.55% of loss on drying at 105°C, 2.64±0.25% of total ash, 11.8±2.99% of water soluble ash etc. which indicates that the drug has remarkable content of inorganic matter. Moreover the pH value of 5 indicates the drug is slightly acidic. The preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Starch, Sugar, Alkaloids, Tannic acid, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, coumarin, saponins and phenol are present in the trial drug. The drug was free of microbial contamination; heavy metals and pesticide were below deductible limit. The results obtained indicate that the drug is of standard quality and can be used as reference standard in laying pharmacopoeia standard.

Keywords: Amukkara chooranam, Physicochemical analysis, Standardization, Siddha medicine.