ABSTRACT
Kokilakshadi Kashaya mentioned in Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Vataraktadhikara, it is a therapeutic formulation to treat Vatarakta. It is also used by Ayurvedic practitioners for treating hyperuricemia. The symptoms of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis are similar to Vatarakta, a disease explained in classical Ayurvedic textbooks. Kokilakshadikwatha contains Kokilaksha and Guduchi and Pippalichurna given as Anupana of this formulation Physico chemical analysis of individual drug and formulation with modern parameters increase their scope and acceptance. The study was based on standard analytical parameters proposed by API. Method: Kokilakshadi Kwatha powder was evaluated for physico chemical analysis and phyto chemical screening. The analysis was done by using the parameters like Organoleptic features, loss on drying, acid soluble extractive, water soluble extractive. Results: Analytical parameters of individual drugs were done. All analytical parameter were within limit. Analytical parameter of Kokilakshadi Kwatha Churna like loss on drying 10.4%w/w, acid insoluble ash 0.79%, alcohol soluble extractive 11.2%w/w, water soluble extractive 7.8%w/w, pH 5.78 were obtained. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) profile of Kokilakshadikwatha powder showed 13 peaks at 254nm and 14 peaks at 366nm. Preliminary phytochemical screening test revealed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids. Conclusion: The obtained data can be used for future comparative references
ABSTRACT
Rasasastra is a branch of science deals with metals and minerals, Shilajathu (Bitumen) is one of the important herbo mineral drug in Rasasastra. It is also known as black bitumen or Asphaltum punjabinum, considered as mineral pitch. Shilajathu is widely used for treating number of diseases in various systems of medicine. It is an exudate of rocks having blackish brown colour, has been mentioned in Samhitas since ancient times. Shilajathu was described by almost all the Acharyas in their classical text books. Especially in Rasasastra text books, Shilajathu was included under Maharasa, Uparasa, Dhatu varga, Suvarnadi varga, Paradati varga. Description of different types of Shilajathu and their properties was seen in classics. Acharyas explained about the genuinity test of Shilajathu, various Sodhana procedures also mentioned for removing the impurities and make fit for consumption. Marana (incineration) and Satvapatana (extraction of essence) are not necessary for Shilajathu, whereas Guna (property), Karma (action), Matra (dose) of Shilajathu was available in literatures. For curing various diseases Shilajathu administered along with different Anupanas (adjuvant), it is considered as panacea. It is the one of the ingredients of various Ayurveda formulations and has Rasayana (rejuvenation) property. In this article, an attempt has made to summarize the wide range of description of Shilajathu available in various Ayurveda classics.