Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF POLYHERBAL ORAL THIN FILM FOR SLEEP INDUCTION

Aishwary Bhushan Shinde*, Ms. Kamble Rachana Bhaskar, Shrawani Kishor Choudhari, Vipul Vijay Bhondave, Yash Sharad Zaware

Abstract

Sleep disorders such as insomnia and poor sleep quality are increasingly common due to stress, anxiety, and unhealthy lifestyles, significantly affecting overall health and well-being. Herbal medicines have gained attention as safer alternatives to synthetic sedatives because of their reduced side effects and better patient acceptability. The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a polyherbal oral thin film (OTF) for sleep induction using Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Tagara (Valeriana wallichii) as active herbal ingredients. Ashwagandha is known for its adaptogenic, antistress, and anxiolytic properties, while Tagara possesses natural sedative and calming effects that promote sleep. The oral thin film was prepared by the solvent casting method. The prepared films were evaluated for various physicochemical and mechanical parameters including physical appearance, thickness, weight variation, folding endurance, surface pH, and in-vitro disintegration time. The formulated polyherbal oral thin film demonstrated satisfactory film characteristics, rapid disintegration, and acceptable flexibility, indicating its potential as an effective and convenient drug delivery system for sleep induction. This novel herbal dosage form may offer a promising alternative to conventional oral medications by providing rapid onset of action, ease of administration, and improved therapeutic efficacy for individuals suffering from sleep disturbances.

Keywords: Polyherbal formulation, Oral thin film, Sleep induction, Ashwagandha, Tagara, Herbal drug delivery, Solvent casting method, Insomnia management, Rapid disintegration, Herbal sedative, Patient compliance, sleep disorder.