Pharmacognostical and physicochemical profile of Abhayadi Gutika: An polyherbal formulation

Introduction: Quality standardization and maintenance of these standards is the need of the hour in this era which is showing growing demand for traditional medicines. Although Abhayadi Gutika (AG) is an important formulation in Ayurvedic pharmacopeia, it lacks scientific documentation. Aims: The aim was to study organoleptic, microscopic, physicochemical, phytochemical, nutraceutical, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) profile of AG. Materials and Methods: AG was prepared and subjected to pharmacognostical analysis in which organoleptic and microscopic characteristics were identified. This was followed by analytical study comprising physicochemical, phytochemical, neutraceutical parameters, acid-neutralizing capacity, and HPTLC profile. Results: Pharmacognostical microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of starch grains, acicular crystals, group of fibers, sclereids, stone cells, and epicarp cells. Quantitative physicochemical analysis revealed loss on drying value as 6.37% w/w, ash value as 2.16% w/w, water-soluble extractive value as 44.37% w/w, alcohol-soluble extractive value as 37.91% w/w, and pH value as 6.5. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins in the finished product. In nutraceutical evaluation, functionalities such as total proteins (4.82%), total fats (0.5%), total carbohydrates (70.48%), total sugars (48%), and crude fibers (2.5%) were observed. Acid-neutralizing capacity for AG was found to be 1.3 meq/gm. HPTLC fingerprinting exhibited five peaks (Rf values: 0.18, 0.28, 0.72, 0.81, 0.84) at 254 nm, seven peaks (Rf values: 0.09, 0.22, 0.25, 0.28, 0.53, 0.58, 0.64) at 366 nm and two peaks (Rf values: 0.64, 0.72) at 540 nm on densitogram. Conclusion: Preliminary profiling of AG exhibited striking pharmacognostical as well as analytical characteristics. In nutraceutical analysis, functionalities like proteins, fats, carbohydrates, sugars and crude fibers were observed. Acid-neutralizing capacity which is a measure of efficacy of medicines prescribed for hyperacidity (antacids) was found to be 1.3 meq/gm for AG which supports its therapeutic efficacy in the disease conditions like Vidagdhajirna.