S. S. et al. Int J App Pharm, Thematic Special Issue 2022, 116-121 Thematic Special Issue: Modern Drug Discovery – Current Challenges & Future Perspectives 2022 | 116 A COMPARATIVE PHYSICO CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF AMṚTOTTARA KVATHA AND IT’S PRAVAHI KVATHA Original Article SREELAKSHMI S. * , ARUN MOHANAN, VINEETH P. K. 1 Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana (Pharmaceuticals), Amrita School of Ayurveda, Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kollam, India * Email: lakshmi.chaand@gmail.com Received: 15 Apr 2021, Revised and Accepted: 30 May 2022 ABSTRACT Objective: Herbal decoctions are commonly used pharmaceutical dosage form in Ayurveda. The major drawback of decction is short shelf life. To increase the shelf-life preservatives are used. The effectiveness of decoctions added with preservative is not evaluated yet. Pravāhi kvātha is fermented decoctions prepared to increase the shelf life as well as the palatability of decoctions. In the present study, an attempt has been made compare the efficacy of freshly prepared herbal decoction, decoction added with preservative and fermented decoction. Methods: To compare the efficacy, the three samples were subjected to analytical study through organoleptic, physicochemical and other advanced chromatographic and instrumental analysis. For scientifically validating the effectiveness the samples were analysed for Physico chemical parameters, HPTLC, Gallic acid estimation, HR LC-MS and DPPH assay. Results: After the physico chemical analysis it was found that the parameters of three samples was within permissible limit. The anti-oxidant potential of three samples were proved by the DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The I50 value of three samples shows only less variation and all the sample possess good anti-oxidant potential. Phyto chemical evaluation of the three samples were compared wit HPTLC, Gallic acid estimation and HR LCMS analysis. Conclusion: The study shows that the modification of Kaṣāya to Pravāhi Kvātha will not affect its therapeutic efficacy rather it adds more therapeutic value due to the presence of newly synthesized compounds. Addition of Sodium benzoate preservative doesn’t alter the therapeutic efficacy of Amṛtottara Kaṣāya and it won’t produce any toxic chemicals by the interaction with drugs. Keywords: Decoction, Ayurveda, Amṛtottara Kaṣaya, Pravahi Kvatha, Kaṣaya Kalpana, Preservative, Sodium benzoate © 2022 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2022.v14ti.29 Journal homepage: https://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ijap INTRODUCTION Kasaya kalpana is the formulation prepared by extracting the active principles of herbal drugs which is also termed as decoction. It is the most significant and widely used dosage form in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics [1]. It has some drawbacks such as very short shelf- life, un pleasant taste and require high dose. For the large-scale production short shelf life is the major drawback. Moreover, in today’s chaotic life style, people find it difficult to prepare and administer decoctions daily. To overcome this large pharmaceutical companies are making the Kasāya in concentrated form and adding preservatives to increase the shelf life [2]. Also, other modified forms of Kasāya like Kasāya tablets, Syrup and other flavoured medicaments has led to decline in the use of classically prepared decoctions. The effectiveness and therapeutic potency of these modified dosage forms are not studied properly [3]. Pravāhi kvātha is fermented decoctions which are prepared and practiced as Kāda. In classical texts, direct references are not available regarding this formulation but Ayurveda Sara Sangraha mentioned it as “Pravahi Kvatha”, which is prepared by fermentation process [4]. It is prepared by fermenting the Kasāya by adding sweetening and fermenting agent to increase the shelf life [5]. In the present study, an attempt has been made to lay the Standard Manufacturing Procedure for preparation of this formulation as well as analytically compare it with decoction prepared from same source. Here, Amṛtottara Kaṣāya yoga has been selected for the preparation of decoction and Pravāhi Kvātha. Amṛtottara Kaṣāya is commonly used formulation for treating fever and other inflammatory conditions. It contains only three ingredients namely Tinospora cordifolia (Guduci), Emblica officinalis (Haritaki), and Zingiber officinale (Sunthi). Sodium benzoate is the commonly used preservative for Ayurvedic medicine. Amṛtottara Kaṣāya added with Sodium benzoate is also subjected for the study to evaluate the efficacy and to check whether the reaction of ingredients with preservative leads to the formation of any toxic chemicals. So, to compare the efficacy the three samples are subjected to analytical study through organoleptic, physicochemical and other advanced chromatographic and instrumental analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Collection of raw material and its authentication Raw drugs for the preparation were procured from Amrita life, Amrita enterprises Pvt Ltd (GMP certified). All the raw drugs were authenticated and identified by Department of Dravyaguna, Amrita School of Ayurveda. Sodium benzoate (food grade) was procured from Laboratory supplies, Trivandrum. Pharmaceutical study Three samples of kvātha were prepared as per the classical reference. It includes:- Sample 1-Amṛtottara Kaṣāya freshly prepared Sample 2-Amṛtottara Kaṣaya added with Sodium benzoate Sample 3-Amṛtottara Pravahi kvatha Method of preparation of Amṛtottara Kaṣāya (fresh decoction) Table 1: Proportion of ingredients S. No. Drugs As per AFI Quantity taken 1 Gudūchi 6 parts 90g 2 Harītaki 4 parts 60g 3 Sunthi 2 parts 30g 4 Water 16 parts 28.8L International Journal of Applied Pharmaceutics ISSN- 0975-7058 Thematic Special Issue 2022