Preliminary pharmacognosy, physico-phytochemical and nutraceutical profile of Abhayadi avaleha

Background: Globalization of Ayurveda has caused Ayurveda pharmaceutics to go through a rapid revolutionary phase as the standardization of drug formulations has become crucial for quality assurance. A lot of efforts are being taken up in this direction of standardizing the formulations in Ayurveda. The present study was carried out to standardize one such Ayurveda formulation, which is not reported till date. Aim: The aim was to document the organoleptic, microscopic, physicochemical, phytochemical, nutraceutical, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography profile of Abhayadi Avaleha (AA). Materials and Methods: AA was subjected to organoleptic and microscopic characterization, followed by analytical study comprising physicochemical, phytochemical, nutraceutical, and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) profiles. Results: Microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of starch grains, acicular crystals, group of fibers, sclereids, stone cells, and epicarp cells. Physicochemical analysis revealed loss on drying value as 5.62% w/w, ash value as 1.74% w/w, water soluble extractive value as 43.17% w/w, alcohol soluble extractive value as 36.88% w/w, and pH value as 6.5. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins in the finished product. In nutraceutical analysis, total proteins (4.82%), total fats (0.5%), total carbohydrates (70.48%), total sugars (48%), and crude fibers (2.5%) were estimated. Acid-neutralizing capacity of AA was found to be 1.3 mEq/g. HPTLC fingerprinting exhibited five peaks (Rf values 0.02, 0.06, 0.68, 0.80, and 0.94) at 254 nm and two peaks (Rf values 0.02 and 0.94) at 366 nm by densitometry. Conclusion: The preliminary data evolved in the present study will be beneficial for a routine quality control of AA and will also help in further standardization of this drug.