PRELIMINARY QUALITATIVE SCREENING, PHYSICOCHEMICAL STANDARDIZATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF A HERBO MINERAL SIDDHA FORMULATION GANDHAGA KARUPPU

A recent resurgence of interest in the traditional systems like AYUSH (Ayurveda,Yoga, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy) systems of Indian Medicine is due to the fact that these systems are natural/ environmental friendly/ biodegradable. The safety based efficacy of these medicines is also equally important because of the issues of adulteration and substitution and contamination and for globalization too. Therefore, the development of pharmacopoeial standards becomes mandatory as emphasized by WHO. Under the Law of drugs and cosmetic act 1940, quality control and analytical standardization of ASU&H drugs in the light of phytochemical aspects geared up in India. Scientist’s (silver bullet) method of extracting the chemical to target the effect led to suggestion that most drugs are devoid of activity which may due to the in-vitro methods and lack of solubility of the drug. This paves way to support traditional formulations, where drug parts are added as such and processed and the finished product administered with suitable adjuvants (Gunshot method to treat the individual as a whole). The objective of the present study to evaluate the organoleptic characters, acid and basic radicals, pH, phytochemicals, standardize physico chemically to authenticate the sulphur based classical Siddha formulation Gandaka karuppu and also to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. The Results revealed, the presence of sulphate, chloride, carbonate, fluoride and iron and ammonium, acidic pH, no significant antimicrobial activity , higher acid insoluble ash values which might be due to higher mineral content present in the finished product. The Organoleptic characters and other physicochemical values signify the good quality and purity of the herbo-mineral drug Gandhaga karuppu.