Phytochemical analysis of chitraka granthikadi kashaya—an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation

Background: Chromatographic fingerprinting of herbal formulations is a useful tool for explaining the scientific background and to develop a more targeted treatment methodology. Thus, this study has undertaken to report the characteristic parameters of chitraka granthikadi kashaya an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation to validate its quality. Materials and Methods: The root of Shodhita (purified) Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica L.) and Eranda (Ricinus communis L.), dried rhizome of Shunti (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.), fruit of Pippali (Piper longum L.), and Saindhava lavana (Rock salt) were the ingredients of chitraka granthikadi kashaya. The Kwatha (medicated decoction) was prepared and evaluated for its phytochemical parameters and thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry chromatography parameters in accordance with the standard methods. Results: The phytochemical screening, GC–MS study, and TLC of the formulation reported the presence of 13 potential bioactive compounds. The action of these compounds based on the available literature has given a close similarity with the therapeutic action of the formulation. Conclusion: The presence of 13 bioactive compounds was found in this formulation with different peak values. Major compounds present are piperine, B-sitosterol, geranyl isovalarate, hexacosane, etc. Few compounds were very minimal and even no sufficient literature data available for them.