Abstract

PHARMACEUTICAL AND ANALYTICAL EVALUATION OF MAHARASNADI KASHAYA AND ITS GHANA POWDER

*Dr. Devraj J. Saroj, Dr. Aashik M. Raju

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Kashaya Kalpana is a primary dosage form in Ayurveda, prepared by boiling herbal ingredients in water (aqueous extraction). While effective, its traditional form has limitations such as short shelf life, bulkiness, and unpalatable taste (tikta rasa), which reduce patient compliance. Ghana Kalpana, the process of concentrating Kashaya into a solid form, addresses these limitations by producing a stable, portable, and easily administrable dosage form. Maharasnadi Kashaya is a classical vata-kapha-hara formulation indicated in neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: To prepare Maharasnadi Kashaya (MRK) and Maharasnadi Kashaya Ghana Powder (MRGP), evaluate their pharmaceutical characteristics, and analyse them through organoleptic, physicochemical, and HPTLC profiling to establish comparative quality parameters. Materials & Methods: Raw materials were authenticated and processed according to Sharangdhara Samhita. MRK was prepared as per Kashaya paka vidhi and MRGP through Ghana paka vidhi. Samples underwent comparative organoleptic, physicochemical, and chromatographic evaluation. HPTLC profiling was performed using Merck silica gel plates and Methanol:Ethyl acetate:Water mobile phase, with detection at 254 nm, 366 nm, 300 nm, and 314 nm. Results: MRGP yield was 13.8% of the initial coarse powder weight. MRGP showed reduced moisture content, increased water-soluble extractives, and extended shelf life compared to MRK. HPTLC profiling revealed multiple peaks in both MRK and MRGP, indicating a diverse phytochemical profile, with similar chromatographic patterns demonstrating preservation of phytoconstituents after Ghana Kalpana. Conclusion: Conversion of MRK to MRGP improves stability, portability, and patient compliance while retaining therapeutic integrity, making it an ideal dosage form for long-term management of vata-kapha disorders.

Keywords: Maharasnadi Kashaya, Maharasnadi Ghana Powder, Kashaya Kalpana, Dosage form, HPTLC.