STANDARDISATION OF PIPALIASAVA-A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION

Objective: Pipaliasava is a commercially available traditionally fermented biomedicine containing self-generated alcohol. Pipaliasava was standardised for various physicochemical and toxicological parameters using relevant modern techniques. Methods: Pipaliasava was evaluated for organoleptic and various physicochemical properties. Alcohol content was determined by gas chromatography. The formulation was analysed for the presence of microbial contamination by microbial tests and for heavy metals by atomic emission spectroscopy. HPTLC studies were carried out for quantitative determination of gallic acid in ethyl acetate extract of the formulation. Results: The formulation was found to be mild acidic. The refractive index was found to be 1.37. The viscosity was found to be 29.2 cp. The solid content was found to be 22.05 % w/v. Water-soluble extractive value and alcohol-soluble extractive value were evaluated to be 31.664 % w/v and 30.424 % w/v. Reducing and non-reducing sugars were found to be 20.08 % w/v and 0.38 % w/v. The content of ethanol was found to be 8.29 % using GC technique. Different extracts of pipaliasava were evaluated for the presence of various phytoconstituents using respective chemical tests. The formulation showed the absence of lead and mercury and permissible levels of arsenic and cadmium. The formulation showed no presence of E. coli, P. aerugenosa and S. aureus in the microbiological examination . Gallic acid content in the ethyl acetate extract of pipaliasava was found to be 0.0061 % by HPTLC. Conclusion: Marketed pipaliasava formulation was successfully standardized as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and WHO guidelines.