Abstract

COMPARATIVE ANALYTICAL EVALUATION OF ERANDA TAILA EXTRACTED FROM SHODHITA AND ASHODHITA ERANDA TAILA

Dr. Reshma M. Saokar*, Jayashree Ranjani, Dr. Sujatha K.

Abstract

Eranda Taila (Castor oil), obtained from the seeds of Ricinus communis Linn., is a widely used oil in Ayurveda. The classical text Yogaratnakara describes the Shodhana (purification) procedure of Eranda beeja, through Swedana (steaming) in Narikelodaka (tender coconut water) for a duration of three hours. Shodhana procedures not only reduce the toxicity of a drug but also modifies its undesirable properties and enhances its therapeutic efficacy. The strong laxative property of castor oil is due to the local irritant action caused in the intestines by the ricinoleic acid. This study aimed to compare phytochemical screening, physicochemical parameters and HPLC of Shodhita and Ashodhita Eranda Taila, which were extracted from Shodhita and Ashodhita Eranda beeja respectively, using the traditional method of castor oil extraction. HPLC analysis of ricinoleic acid was conducted using the Shimadzu Prominence system. Phytochemical screening revealed that both samples contained glycosides, tannins and steroids. Shodhita Eranda Taila was found to have greater acid value, greater iodine Avalue, and higher saponification value as compared to Ashodhita Eranda Taila. The HPLC analysis indicated that Shodhita Eranda Taila had higher levels of ricinoleic acid compared to Ashodhita Eranda Taila, which underscores the advantage of Shodhana in enhancing therapeutic properties of the drug.

Keywords: Shodhita Eranda Taila, Ashodhita Eranda Taila, Shodhana, Narikelodaka, Eranda beeja, Ricinoleic acid, HPLC.