Pharmacognostical and Preliminary Physico-chemical Profiles of Ashtangavaleha in Powder and Linctus forms

Abstract

Introduction: Avaleha (linctus) is the secondary dosage form which is widely acceptable and palatable in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. In classics, most of the Avaleha are either prepared with sweetening agents like jaggery or sugar or mentioned in the powder form and are advised to be licked with honey. Ashtangavaleha is a herbal formulation mentioned in classics to treat Shwasa Roga (asthma disease). This formulation consists of eight powders in equal proportion to be taken with Ardraka Swarasa or licked with honey as Anupana. In the present study, Ashtangavaleha powder was converted into linctus form to improve palatability and ease of administration, and a comparative evaluation was carried out. Methods: Raw materials were procured, authenticated, and both samples, namely Ashtangavaleha powder (AP) and Ashtangavaleha linctus (AL), were prepared following classical Ayurvedic guidelines. Pharmacognostical evaluation including macro- and microscopy, physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening, and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) were performed using standard methodologies. Results: In the powder form after Bhavana, significant changes were observed in stone cells of Pippali and Katphala, starch grains of Shunthi, fibres of Katphala, and cellular contents. In the linctus form, oleo-resin content of Shunthi and Pippali, pollen grains of honey, brown contents, and black debris of Shringi were observed. Marked differences were found in the physicochemical profiles of AP and AL. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, and saponins. HPTLC profiling revealed distinct chromatographic patterns, serving as preliminary standards. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that variations in pharmaceutical procedures and dosage forms result in significant changes in the pharmacognostical and physicochemical parameters of Ashtangavaleha. These findings support the need for standardization and quality control of both powder and linctus forms.