Standardization of Gowthamar chooranam – A Polyherbal Siddha Formulations in the Management of Swasakasam (Bronchial Asthma)

Abstract

Background: Siddha medicine is a unique one as it is not only a curative but also preventive and to achieve the healthy body and mind. Siddha medicines revitalize and rejuvenate the body. Bronchial asthma, characterized by chronic airway obstruction and increased airway hyper responsiveness leads to symptoms of wheeze, cough, chest tightness and difficulty in breathing. It affecting any age, race and socio-economic class globally and its prevalence is changing upwards worldwide. The increase in prevalence may be due to changes in lifestyle, rapid industrialization, tobacco, smoke, viral infections, chemical irritants and increase in air pollution. Siddha, an ancient system of Indian Medicine has recommended a number of drugs for indigenous plant sources for the treatment of Bronchial Asthma. One among them is Siddha polyherbal formulation Gowthamar chooranam. Aim: The aim of the present study was to identify the presence of bioactive phytocomponents in the Siddha polyherbal drug formulation Gowthamar chooranam by subjecting the drug to various studies like physicochemical analysis, phytochemical screening, and HPTLC. Methods: The ingredients present in the Siddha polyherbal formulation Gowthamar chooranam was first authenticated by the botanist and was purified. The purified ingredients of the drug was grounded to make a powdered form. The prepared siddha polyherbal formulation Gowthamar chooranam was sent it to the lab for the physiochemical analysis, phytochemical screening and HPTLC. The mentioned physicochemical and phytochemical analysis was conducted at The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, located at No.69, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032. The HPTLC was carried out at Noble Research Solutions in Kolathur, Chennai – 600 099. Results: Physicochemical analysis of the study revealed 0.64% of loss on drying (LOD) at 1050C, 2.41% of total ash value, 0.8394% of acid insoluble ash, 1.65% of water soluble ash, 62.30% of water soluble extraction, 11.25% of Alcohol soluble extractive. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of bioactive compounds such as carbohydrates, saponin, phenols, tannin, flavonoids, diterpenes and Gum and mucilage. Seven distinct peaks are seen in the sample’s HPTLC finger printing examination, which indicates that it contains seven different phytocomponents. The highest Rf value of the peaks varies from 0.05 to 0.75. Conclusion: The findings aid in determining the formulations of siddha polyherbal drug Gowthamar chooranam and it reveals the presence of physicochemical and phytochemical properties of the drug which ensures the safety and therapeutic potential in the management of Swasakaasam (Bronchial Asthma) The study drug can also be used as a reference norms for the medicine of standard pharmaceutical product and further quality control enquires. This study provides the evidence for future clinical studies.