Abstract

PHARMACEUTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF SPRAY-DRIED SHATAVARI KSHEERAPAKA GRANULES: AN AYURVEDIC AND MODERN PHARMACEUTICAL APPROACH

*Adhikari D. R., Sharma R. P.

Abstract

Introduction: Ksheerapaka is a classical ayurvedic formulation prepared using milk as a medium to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and palatability of medicinal drugs. However, its short shelf life and inconvenience in repeated fresh preparation limit its practical utility. Spray-drying technology offers a modern pharmaceutical approach for converting liquid Ksheerapaka into a stable, patient-friendly dosage form. The present study aimed to prepare Shatavari Ksheerapaka (SK) and develop spray-dried Shatavari Ksheerapaka Granules (SKG), followed by their pharmaceutical and phytochemical evaluation. Materials And Methods: This study was conducted by preparing Shatavari Ksheerapaka according to the reference of Ksheerapaka preparation of Acharya Saranghadhar and spray dried granules by using spray-drier at Drug Formulation Development Laboratory, NIA, Jaipur. A comparative qualitative phytochemical analysis of Shatavari Ksheerapaka and extract of its spray dried granules was conducted at Drug Testing Laboratory, NIA, Jaipur. Results: The prepared SK showed a light yellow colour and a pH of 6.1, whereas SKG exhibited a 6.61% yield, a slight yellowish colour, water solubility, and a pH of 5.65. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of cardiac glycosides and steroids in both formulations, with saponins observed prominently in SKG. HPTLC analysis showed comparable chromatographic profiles for SK and SKG at 254 nm and 366 nm, indicating preservation of major phytoconstituents after spray drying. Quality control parameters revealed low moisture content, satisfactory flow properties, high extractive values, and minimal contamination in the granules. Conclusion Spray-dried Shatavari Ksheerapaka Granules were successfully developed using modern pharmaceutical technology while preserving the essential phytochemical profile of the classical formulation. The developed granules demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical quality, stability, and patient convenience, suggesting that spray drying is an effective approach for the modernisation of ayurvedic ksheerapaka formulations.

Keywords: Ksheerapaka, Phyto-constituents, Shatavari.