A Pharmaceutical Analysis of Rajanyadi Syrup –A Polyherbal Ayurvedic Anthelminthic Drug

Context: According to Ayurveda Acharyas for getting desirable outcome of any medication, it should be precisely analysed. Most of the Ayurveda classical formulations need to be standardized based on newer techniques for their Worldwide acceptance. Rajanyadi churna is one of the widely used formulation by Ayurveda physicians for all types of paediatric disorders mainly GI tract related conditions. Rajanyadi Churna is traditionally used in Churna form, in this study churna was converted into Syrup form for better palatability and convenience of administration. The present study mainly deals with the preparation and standardization of Rajanyadi syrup on the basis of organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical parameters and HPTLC fingerprinting.


INTRODUCTION
Standardization of poly herbal medicine is the process of developing and agreeing upon technical standards. Specific standards are set to carry out the experimentation, which would lead to the development of a set of characteristics exhibited by the particular poly herbal medicine. Hence, standardization is a tool in the quality control process.
While assuring the quality of the drug, consistency of active principles and therapeutic efficacy, standardization of herbal formulations is an essential part.
Rajanyadi churna is mentioned in the classical formulation used in agni mandya (digestive impairment), atisara ( diarrhea), jwara (fever), kamala ( jaundice), pandu (anemia), svasa (asthma) and sarvarogahar [1].  (Table 1). Palatability being at most concern in paediatric age group, in present study the form of drug has modified from churna to syrup without altering the quantity of ingredients and subjected to analytical study through organoleptic, physico-chemical and HPTLC finger printing methods.

Collection, Identification and Authentication of Raw Drugs
All the raw material used for this study were procured from local market of Vadodara, Gujarat then identification and authentication of the raw drug were done at Pharmacy of Parul Institute of Ayurved, Vadodara, Gujarat.

Preparation of rajanyadi kwath (Decoction) [2]
Required quantity of Rajani, Daruharidra, Sarala, Gajapippali, Brihati, Kantakar ,Prishniparni , Shatpushpa are taken in yavkuta form in a clean stainless steel decoction vessel along with clean water. All drugs are then mixed properly in a vessel and is kept undisturbed place for whole night. Next day this mixture was heated on medium flames in stainless steel vessel till the quantity of liquid reduced to one fourth then filtered.

Preparation of syrup
To this filtered kwath prescribed quantity of powdered sugar was added and then whole mixture heated and stirred until solution attains thread consistency. After cooling syrup honey and preservative sodium benzoate was added in required amount and later was packed in sterile air tight container.

Phytochemical and analytical study
Organoleptic characters, physicochemical parameters, solubility test done at Pharmacy of Parul Institute of Ayurveda and HPTLC study done at Vasu Research Centre, GIDC, Makarpura, Vadodara. (Sample ID-AD/21/088 Dated: 13/02/2021). Rajanyadi syrup was analysed by employing various analytical parameters. Organoleptic character like colour, odour, consistency was carried. Physicochemical study to analyse Loss on Drying at 110 0 C, Total Ash Value, Acid Insoluble Ash, pH, specific gravity, Refractive index, and Total solids content was done. [3,4,5] 5 grams of syrup sample weighed and diluted with 10 ml of distilled water. Mixture transferred to a separate funnel and partition done with 20 ml of ethyl acetate. The layer of ethyl acetate collected and procedure repeated with 15 ml of ethyl acetate. Both the ethyl acetate layers pooled in evaporating dish and evaporated till these are completely dried. Reconstituted the sample with 2 ml of ethyl acetate and obtained solution was applied on a pre coated MERCK-TLC/PHTLC silica gel 60 F254 on aluminium sheets to a band width of 10mm using CAMAG Linomat 5applicator. Rajanyadi syrup plate was developed in Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Formic acid: Methanol in the ratio of 6:3:0.1:1 respectively. After derivatization in CAMAG-dip tank for one minute with Vanillin-sulphuric acid reagent visualized in short and long UV. The plate was scanned at 254 nm, 366 nm, 540 nm and Rf, colour spots and densitometric scan were recorded.

CONCLUSION
Intestinal worm infections in humans is a silent epidemic that destroys the health, wellbeing and learning potential of millions of children in many developing countries today. It is noticed that recurrence rate is very high due to development of resistance towards routine anthelminthic drugs. Poly herbal preparations are best analysed to validate the preparation for assessment of quality and to authenticate the drug for its reproducibility. HPTLC finger printing is commonly used technique in synthetic chemistry for identifying volatiles, compounds, determining their purity and following the progress of a reaction. It also permits the optimization of the solvent system for a given separation problem. The analytical data and HPTLC finger print profile obtained in the present study for Rajanyadi syrup will help to develop SMP (Standard manufacturing process) of Rajanyadi syrup which will became a standard for further study and other remedies in future.

CONSENT
It is not applicable.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
It is not applicable.