Abstract

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF RATHULŪNU THAILAYA: A HERBAL OIL FOR PEENASA (ALLERGIC RHINITIS)

S. N. L. Narathota*, A. P. A. Jayasiri and L. D. R. De Silva

Abstract

Rathulūnu thailaya (RT) is a poly herbal medicated oil mentioned in Ayurveda pharmacopeia used to treat all types of Peenasa (Allergic rhinitis). The drug formulation consists of eleven herbal compounds including Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale, Piper nigrum, Piper longum, Ferula foetida, Nigella sativa, Cuminum cyminum, Syzygium aromaticum, Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg seed, seed cover) and Sesamum indicum. Study mainly focusses on literary survey and analysis of the quality parameters of RT. Literature survey revealed that these ingredients are prominent with katu rasa (pungent taste), laghu, theekshna guna (light, sharp properties) and ushna veerya (hot potency) which helps to pacify the pathogenesis of phlegmatic conditions. Organoleptic properties and physico - chemical parameters (Refractive index, Rancidity, Iodine value, pH value, Specific gravity) were determined under standard protocols to assess the quality of the Medicated oil. RT was a brownish colour oil with a pleasant odour and GC–MS (Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry) analysis was done to separate volatile compounds. Sixteen suspected compounds were identified including Sabinene, Eugenol, Zingiberene, Myristicin, Retrofractamide-A, Linoleic and Stearic acid. Refractive Index of 1.4665 at 400C was obtained which tallied with standard ranges of medicated oils and RT had a rancid value of 3.4mE/kg. pH was alkaline and specific gravity of RT at 30oC was 0.9199. Iodine value is a measure of relative degree of unsaturation in oil components and reading of 87.9 was obtained. Present study disclosed the quality parameters of Rathulūnu thailaya (RT) for the first time and the detected parameters can be used for future studies.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, Peenasa, Physico -chemical parameters, Rathul?nu thailaya, Volatile.