USHIRASAVA-PHYSICOCHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION AND QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF SOME BIOACTIVES

Ushirasava is a commonly used ayurvedic formulation reported to be effective in Raktapitta (Bleeding disorders), Pandu (Anaemia), Kustha (Skin diseases), Prameha (Urinary disorders), Arsa (piles), Krmi (Worm infestation) and Sotha (Inflammatory diseases). It is a polyherbal hydroalcoholic product comprising of more than twenty-five ingredients. An exhaustive literature survey revealed that standardization of Ushirasava is not reported to date. The research work described here aims to standardize some marketed formulations of Ushirasava with respect to their physicochemical (Organoleptic properties, phytochemical, and microbial parameters. It also aims to develop and validate a new HPTLC method for the quantitative estimation of luteoin and rubiadin present in the test formulations of Ushirasava. The standardization of Ushirasava involved a determination of organoleptic and physicochemical properties, phytochemical screening, identification and quantitative analysis of some bioactive constituents by HPTLC. The ‘protocol for testing Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicines’ was used as a reference. Luteolin and rubiadin were selected as the chemical markers for quantitative analysis. An HPTLC method was developed and validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization ICH-Q2 (R1). The results of physicochemical and microbial tests were compared with the specifications mentioned in the ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. The selected marketed samples of Ushirasava were subjected to AYUSH screening protocol and quantitative estimation by HPTLC. This HPTLC method was validated and used for the simultaneous estimation of rubiadin and luteolin in some selected marketed Ushirasava formulations. The results of this work will serve as a valuable tool for routine quality control of Ushrasava formulations.