PHYSICO CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PANCHAVAKTRA RAS: A HERBO-MINERAL FORMULATION

Panchavaktra Ras is a rational combination of Rasadravyas and Kasthaushadhis prescribed in the management of Amavata. Panchavaktra rasa has been taken into consideration for its Pharmaceutical standardization through Standard Operative procedures. In pharmaceutical study, the drug has been prepared in 3 batches adopting Khalviya Rasayana method and physico chemical analysis was carried out on these batches. This formulation was analysed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma with Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICPOES) and found the major elements Hg, S, B, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ag, C, Pb, As from medicine. The heavy metals like As, Pb and Cd were almost within permissible limits. Organoleptic features of drug are found dark grey astringent taste and pungent odour which is made of the crude drugs within the standard range. The pH of compound was 8.93-8.99 and alkaline in nature. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of Alkaloids, Saponins, Flavanoids, Tanins and Tritepenoids in this drug. The Panchavaktra Ras was subjected to estimation of Microbial contamination which was within normal limits and it does not contain harmful microbes like Enterobacteriacea, E.coli, Salmonella species. Efforts have been made to fix the analytical standards of Panchavaktra ras, which were not found, reported till date.