Evaluation of Some Physicochemical Properties as Quality Control Parameters of an Ayurvedic Preparation “Khadirarishta”

Traditional or alternative medicines such as Ayurvedic drugs are getting importance and reputation day by day in the treatment of various diseases. This is because it has fewer side effects and gives necessary pharmacological action. But prolonged and excess usage may lead to harmful effects such as damage of the heart muscle leading to various types of arrhythmia and coronary artery diseases. “Khadirarista”, an Ayurvedic drug, was traditionally used for heart diseases along with jaundice, anemia, abdominal tumor and leprosy. The physicochemical properties such as pH, density, viscosity, conductivity, loss on drying (LOD), chromatographic and spectral study, and presence of metal ions the drug “Khadirarista” were studied. It was found that pH values were 4.53, 4.21 and 4.31 at 1%, 5% and 10% of test solution, respectively. It indicated that "Khadirarishta" was an acidic preparation. Density, average viscosity and residue (LOD) of the drug was 1.0076 g/mL, 25.22 pascal/second and 9.33 g/100 mL, respectively. The spectral study of the test sample was performed and peaks were obtained at the wavelengths of 275, 254, 274.80, 254.60, 275.60, 273.60, 211, 253.60 nm in UV spectrophotometer with 276.60 nm being the λmax. HPLC analysis of the sample was performed and retention time (Rt) of the possible active components were found to be 4.12, 4.22 and 4.83 min. Rt at 4.12 min was the most sharp peak. Applying TLC, the Rf values of the active compounds were found to be 0.6 and 0.7. The level of various metal ions in the sample was measured by Flame Photometry and Na, K, Ca levels were found to be 75 ppm, 5 ppm, 12 ppm, respectively.