Pharmaceutico-Analytical Study of Vatagajankusha Rasa

Background: Rasaushadhis play a crucial role in treatment due to their quick action, low dose, and high bioavailability. Vatagajankusha Rasa is a classical herbo-mineral formulation indicated in 80 types of Vata Vyadhi and Urusthambha. Even though widely used, standardized pharmaceutico-analytical data are limited, necessitating scientific validation. Aim and Objective: To prepare Vatagajankusha Rasa as per classical references and evaluate it using pharmaceutico and analytical parameters. Settings and Design: The study was conducted in the Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana and designed as a pharmaceutico-analytical experimental study. Materials and Methods: Vatagajankusha Rasa was prepared as per classical Ayurvedic guidelines using authenticated raw materials and final product was evaluated through pharmaceutico-analytical parameters, including physicochemical analysis, HPTLC, XRD, and ICP-MS. Results: Samanya Shodhana of Parada, Gandhaka, and Kupilu resulted in yields of 108 g (28% loss), 78 g (22% loss), and 116 g (42% loss) respectively. Triphala and Trikatu Churna showed acceptable processing losses of 20% and 15%. Kajjali preparation yielded 120g with an 11% loss, while Vatagajankusha Rasa Vati showed minimal loss (2%). The formulation was black, smooth, tasteless, and odourless. with low moisture content (LOD 0.05%), acceptable weight uniformity, hardness (3.4 kgf), friability (0.289%), and disintegration time (24-33 min). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, strychnine, and brucine. TLC and HPTLC demonstrated characteristic Kupilu alkaloid fingerprints, XRD confirmed predominance of cubic metacinnabar (HgS) with minor sulphur phases, and ICP–MS detected trace levels of zinc and lead. Conclusion: Vatagajankusha Rasa prepared in the present study demonstrated satisfactory pharmaceutical quality, safety, and consistency. The physicochemical and instrumental analyses (TLC, HPTLC, XRD, and ICP–MS) generated baseline quality parameters that may serve as reference standards. However, multi-batch evaluation is necessary to establish definitive in-house quality control norms.