Chemical standardization and antioxidant studies of Thetran Kottai Ilagam: A classical Siddha Medicine

Abstract Background: Traditional systems of medicine are a boon to any country. Siddha and Ayurveda are our Indian systems of traditional medicine. Ilagam in Siddha or Legiyam in Ayurveda is a semisolid medicine prepared with ghee and cane sugar or jaggery or honey. Thetran Kottai Ilagam (TKI) is a Siddha formulation in which Thetran Kottai (Strychnos potatorum Linn.) is the major ingredient along with nine other herbal ingredients. A systematic pharmacognostical study has been executed to identify standardization parameters for this traditional Siddha Medicine. Materials and Methods: Every physicochemical characteristic and antioxidant activity was measured using conventional methods found in pharmacopeia and other reliable sources of information. Results: About 38.77% of the drug’s moisture and volatile components were reduced on heating at 105°C. The drug’s acidic nature was revealed by the pH value. The water- alcohol-extractive values were determined to be 16.36% and 30.54%, respectively. The ethanol extract developed 12 peaks under 254 nm, 13 peaks under 366 nm, and 15 peaks after derivatization, while the chloroform extract high-performance thin-layer chromatography fingerprint profile showed 10 peaks under 254 nm, 9 peaks under 366 nm, and 11 peaks after derivatization. Antioxidant studies showed that the ethanolic extract of TKI had a 79% inhibition of DPPH absorption, compared to the standard, which had 52% inhibition, indicating strong antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The findings of the present study will be helpful in identification and quality assessment of this formulation. The study proved the antioxidant potential of TKI.