Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL ANALYSIS OF BRAHMI GHRITA RASAYANA – AN AYURVEDIC HERBAL FORMULATION FOR VICHARCHIKA (ECZEMA)

Pinkal Rajput*, Megha Pandya, Hetal Vyas and Harisha C. R.

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Abstract

Background: Brahmi Ghrita Rasayana is traditionally indicated for managing all types of Kushtha (including Vicharchika) and psychological conditions such as Unmada and Apasmara, as described in the Medha Ayushkamiya Rasayana Chikitsa Adhyaya by Acharya Sushruta. However, no prior studies have investigated the efficacy of Brahmi Ghrita Rasayana in managing Vicharchika (eczema). To ensure the quality of herbal formulations, it is essential to conduct pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical analyses. Methods: Brahmi Ghrita Rasayana was analyzed using microscopic pharmacognostical evaluation and subjected to physicochemical tests, including loss on drying, acid-insoluble extract, specific gravity, saponification value, iodine value, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Results: Pharmacognostical analysis revealed distinct identifying features of the ingredients used in Brahmi Ghrita Rasayana. Physicochemical evaluation yielded the following results: loss on drying was 0.44% w/w, specific gravity was 0.91 w/w, acid value was 6.17 w/w, saponification value was 234 w/w, and iodine value was 27.27 w/w. HPTLC analysis detected four distinct spots at 254 nm and six spots at 366 nm. Conclusion: The pharmacognostical and physicochemical analyses demonstrated that the formulation adheres to standard quality parameters. These findings provide a foundation for future research to establish the therapeutic efficacy of Ghrita-based formulations.

Keywords: Brahmi Ghrita Rasayana, Vicharchika, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutical analysis.