Introduction: Herbal products represent complex biological mixture and achieving a reproducible pharmaceutical quality could be a very challenging task in standardisation of herbal products. Hence, methodical approach is required for standardisation, development of sufficient quality control profile and scientific validation of plant extracts, as is done in contemporary medicine. Ayurvedic physicians prescribe dried extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers known as 'Guduchi Satva' in several febrile conditions. However, till today no published information is available on its analytical profile. Aims and Objectives: Present study is aimed to evaluate quality control parameters for Guduchi Satva. Materials and Methods: Fifteen batches of Guduchi Satva were prepared and findings were systematically recorded. Physicochemical parameters and qualitative tests for various functional groups, quantitative estimation of total alkaloids, fluorescence analysis, high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) profile, heavy metal analysis and microbial load of Guduchi Satva were carried out. Results: The average percentage of dried Satva obtained was 3.8%. Alkaloids, carbohydrates and starch were found present in Satva. Number of peaks obtained in HPTLC also corresponds to this finding. Percentage of total alkaloid content was 0.31%. No heavy metal and microbial load were detected in the sample. The present observation can be considered as standard for further studies on Satva.

In Ayurveda, the roots of Eranda (Ricinus communis Linn.) are used in the treatment Amavata (rheumatism), Sotha (inflammation), Katisula (backache), Udararoga (disease of abdomen), Jwara (fever), etc, Due to high demand, root of the cultivated variety is mainly used in place of wild. But, a comparative phytochemical profile of both varieties is not available till date. Considering this, a preliminary study has been done to ensure basic phytochemical profile of both the varieties. Preliminary physicochemical parameters, phytochemical screening, quantitative estimation of alkaloid, high-performance thin layer chromatography ( HPTLC), and heavy metal analysis were carried-out in the study. Analysis of physicochemical data reveals no significant difference in between both varieties of roots, while alkaloid was found to be more in cultivated variety (0.34%) than wild one (0.15%). Though, the analytical profiles are almost identical, except the quantity of alkaloid; inferences should be made through well designed pharmacological and clinical studies.

The present study is aimed to investigate antioxidant activity of the extracts of Cassia fistula Linn. (Leguminosae) fruit pulp. Cassia fistula Linn., a Indian Laburnum, is widely cultivated in various countries and different continents including Asia, Mauritius, South Africa, Mexico, China, West Indies, East Africa and Brazil as an ornamental tree for its beautiful bunches of yellow flowers and also used in traditional medicine for several indications. The primary phytochemical study and in vitro antioxidant study was performed on hydro alcoholic extract of fruit pulp. Phytochemical screening of the plant has shown the presence of phenolic compounds, fatty acids, flavonoids, tannins and glycosides. Phenolic content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and was calculated as gallic acid equivalents. Antiradical activity of hydro alcoholic extract was measured by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl) assay and was compared to ascorbic acid. Ferric reducing power of the extract was also evaluated by Oyaizu method. In the present study, three methods were used for evaluation of antioxidant activity. First two methods were for direct measurement of radical scavenging activity and third method to evaluate the reducing power. Results indicate that hydro alcoholic fruit pulp extracts have marked amount of total phenols which could be responsible for the antioxidant activity. These in vitro assays indicate that this plant extract is a significant source of natural antioxidant, Cassia fistula fruit pulp extract shows lower activity in DPPH and total phenol content as compared with standard which might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stresses.

Lekhana Basti (medicated enema) is a Tikshna formulation which is basically aimed for Apatarpana of the body. The present study (medicated enema) was undertaken to evaluate its anti-hyperlipidemic activity in diet-induced hyperlipidemia animals. Parameters like changes in body weight, organ weight, serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, serum HDL cholesterol, and serum (LDL + VLDL) cholesterol were studied to assess the effect of therapy in comparison to the control groups. Lekhana Basti was found to be ineffective in producing anti-hyperlipidemic action potently, but still found to have cytoprotective activity against hyperlipidemia induced organ damage, which was also confirmed by attenuation of cell infiltration and microfatty changes on histopathological examination.

Present study was undertaken to evaluate analgesic activity of root of Nelsonia canescens (Lam.) Spreng, a folklore medicinal plant used as the one of the source plant of Rasna. Study was carried out at two dose levels (270 mg/kg and 540 mg/kg) in albino rats. Analgesic activity was evaluated in formalin induced paw licking, and tail flick methods whereas indomethacin and pentazocine were used as standard analgesic drugs, respectively. At both the dose levels, test drug non-significantly decreased paw licking response at both time intervals. In tail flick model, the administration of the test drug increased pain threshold response in a dose dependent manner. In therapeutically equivalent dose level, analgesic activity was observed only after 180 min while in TED ×2 treated group analgesia was observed at 30 min and lasted even up to 240 min. The results suggested that N.canescens root possess moderate analgesic activity.

Brahmi is a well-known herbal drug having an effect on brain as a memory enhancer. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel and Bacopa floribunda (R.Br.) Wettst are both marketed in the name of Brahmi. The present study differentiates Bacopa monnieri and Bacopa floribunda in morphology, transverse section (T.S.) of root and leaf, powder microscopy, and chemical constituents. Morphological characters show color difference in flower, stem and leaf and differences in microscopic study, organoleptic study, and powder characteristics. Morphologically, Bacopa monnieri leaf is fleshy and more succulent than Bacopa floribunda leaf. There is also a difference in the interval of the stem internodes of the two. Physico-chemical analysis revealed presence of 26% bacoside A in Bacopa floribunda leaf and 27% in Bacopa floribunda stem, which is higher than the bacoside A content in leaf (22%) and stem (18%) of Bacopa monnieri. However due to the hemolytic action of bacoside A, which is the toxic effect of the chemical constituent, it seems likely that Bacopa monnieri is more popular in regular use than Bacopa floribunda.

Context: Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri Linn. Pennel), the main ingredient of Brahmi Ghrita is a popular Medhya drug referred in Ayurvedic classics. Recent advances have established the action of bacoside, one of the constituents of Brahmi in various psycho-neurological disorders. Aim: Present study was planned to detect bacoside A and to do quantitative and qualitative analysis of bacoside A in Brahmi Ghrita using standard bacoside A sample through HPTLC method. Materials and Methods: Stationary phase was precoated silica gel GF 254 and mobile phase was dichloromethane: methanol: water (4.5:1.0:0.1 v/v/v). The plate was scanned and quantified at 254 nm for bacoside A. Result: The correlation co-efficient of bacoside A was found to be 0.9989 or 20% in 5 μl Brahmi Ghrita sample. Conclusion: The study confirms the presence of bacoside A in Brahmi Ghrita. The correlation coefficient of bacoside A was found to be 0.9989 or 20% in 5 μl Brahmi Ghrita sample. The simple, accurate and cost-effective HPTLC method can be utilized for the routine analysis of quantitative determination of bacoside A in Brahmi Ghrita.

Context: Ayurveda has abundant collection of effective formulations against diseases. In the era of increasing demand for indigenous medicines, maintaining quality standards is the need of the hour. Standardisation of compound formulations is lagging behind because of absence of reference standards. Lots of single and compound drugs have been described in Ayurvedic classics. Asanadi gana (Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 15) has kapha-medohara (pacifying Kapha and fat) and lekhana (scraping) property. Aims: The present study was aimed at setting a standard pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical profile of Asanadi ghanavati (AG). Materials and Methods: Study included preparation of AG following all SOPs using raw drugs, which were previously authenticated. Later, AG was subjected to pharmacognostical, physicochemical and high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis as per standard protocols. Results: The final observations were recorded. Pharmacognostical findings matched with that of individual raw drugs with no major change in the microscopic structure of the raw drugs during preparation of ghanavati. HPTLC gave the fingerprint of the formulation with 12 and eight spots on short and long UV, respectively. Conclusions : The quality of AG tablet can be tested by series of pharmacognostical, Physicochemical screening for the observations of the present study.

Aconite is one of the poisonous plants used therapeutically in practice of Ayurveda after proper treatment called as 'Shodhana'. To determine the effect of Shodhana treatment on chronic toxicity and to assess the effect of recovery period after chronic toxicity of aconite. Raw aconite (RV), urine treated aconite (SM), and milk treated aconite (SD) were administered in 6.25 mg/kg dose in Charles Foster strain albino rats for 90 days for chronic toxicity. Six rats from each were kept for another 30 days without test drugs treatment to observe recovery from chronic toxicity. RV was found to be highly toxic in chronic exposure, SM had no apparent toxicity, but SD had mild toxicity in kidney. The toxicities of RV and SD were reversible, but sudden withdrawal of SM caused adverse effects, suggestive of tapering withdrawal. Shodhana treatments remove toxic effects from raw aconite. Chronic toxicity of aconite is reversible. Confirmed the arrangement of abstract

Tamarindus indica Linn. fruits (Chincha) are extensively used in culinary preparations in Indian civilization. Its vast medicinal uses are documented in Ayurvedic classics and it can be used singly or as a component of various formulations. Besides fruit, the Kasta (wood) of T. indica L. is also important and used to prepare Kshara (alkaline extract) an Ayurvedic dosage form. Pharmacognostical and physicochemical details of Chincha Kasta are not available in authentic literature including API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India). The study is an attempt in this direction. T. indica L. stem with heartwood was selected and morphological, microscopic and physicochemical standardization characters along with TLC finger print, and fluorescence analysis were documented. Transverse section of stem showed important characters such as phelloderm, stone cells layer, fiber groups, calcium oxalate, crystal fibers, and tylosis in heartwood region. Four characteristic spots were observed under UV long wave, in thin layer chromatography with the solvent combination of toluene: ethyl acetate (8:2). The study can help correct identification and standardization of this plant material.