Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Shadanga Ghrita Herbs

Efficacy of any formulation depends on their genuineness of herbs used. The present investigation was carried out to characterize the Ayurvedic preparation Shadanga Ghrita, a polyherbal formulation comprising of 6 ingredients, viz, Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata DC), Pippali (Piper longum Linn), Shunthi (Zingiber Officinale Rosc), Katuka (Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth), Laksha (Laccifer lacca Kerr.) On the basis of the pharmacognostic parameters such as preliminary pharmacognostical study (color, odor, taste, appearance, texture and fracture), extractive values, ash values, moisture contents, foreign organic matter, microscopy (histology and powder microscopy) to confirm their identity, quality and purity, pharmacognosy study was carried out. To the best of my knowledge, there is no published report on the scientific analysis of Shadanga Ghrita till date, hence the present work was evaluated to develop the quality control parameters of Shadanga Ghrita ingredients to confirm their purity and identity.