Abstract

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MICROSCOPICAL STANDARDIZATION OF CLASSICAL UNANI FORMULATION: JAWARISH-E-FALAFALI

Asma Sattar Khan*, Shoeb Ahmed Ansari, Usha Devi, Suryansh Kashyap, Firoz Ahmad Ansari, Rahmat Jahan and Arshad Ali Hashmi

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Abstract

Unani system of medicine has global presence as they are an important and reliable health care option for maintaining good health. The phenomenal growth in the use of Unani medicine has arisen new challenges for ensuring their safety and efficacy. The preparation of Unani medicine is usually based on traditional methods in accordance with the procedures described in classical literature which sometimes lacks scientific validation. These days in the manufacturing of polyherbal formulations, adulteration, contamination and substitution of costly ingredients are common practices that adversely affect the quality and efficacy of formulations. Hence, it is of utmost importance to standardize the method of preparation and procedures or parameters to ensure their authenticity and therapeutic effects. Therefore, a polyherbal Unani formulation Jawarish-e-Falafali, widely used as Digestive and Laxative, has been standardized through various phytochemical and quality control parameters. The formulation was analysed by carrying out conventional as well as modern scientific parameters such as organoleptic evaluation (colour, odour, taste and consistency), Microscopy Physicochemical evaluation (moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, pH values, water and ethanol soluble extracts, sugar content) along with the HPTLC fingerprinting. The determination of harmful contaminants such as Heavy metals, microbial loads, Aflatoxins and pesticide residue were also carried out in order to ascertain its quality assurance which consequently aid in developing the scientific standards for the formulations.

Keywords: Physico-chemical evaluation, microscopy, HPTLC fingerprinting, standardization