A REVIEW ON ANALYTICAL STUDIES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF POLYHERBAL FORMULATIONS

In standardization process, quality and purity of crude drugs are evaluated by various parameters. For herbal formulations, along with the chemical, physical, phytochemical, in- vivo and in- vitro parameters, it is significant to determine its quality standards. In traditional system of medicine, the developments of analytical parameters are an important step in establishing quality of products, presence of phytoconstituents and its therapeutic efficacy. In this review, Avipathy and Avipattikar churna, both are polyherbal formulations having nine similar herbal ingredients (Sunthi, Marica, Pippali, Amlaki, Musta, Vidanga, Elaichi, Patra, Trivit) but they are different in terms of indication and method of administration. Avipathy churna is targeted mainly to achieve pitta balance whereas Avipattikar churna for all the three dosha specified in Ayurvedic system of medicine. This review provides data on quality control and analytical studies such as Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and pharmacological evaluation of Avipathy and Avipattikar churna. The analytical study shows the presence of various marker compounds.  This helps to draw new conclusions from existing data to identify research areas. They assure the quality, purity and safety of herbal formulations.