Article: COMPARATIVE PHARMACEUTICO-ANALYTICAL STUDY OF SHUSHKA KASAHARA ARKA AND ITS MODIFICATION INTO NEBULIZING LIQUID

Article Category: Original Research articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.17249

Pages: 43-47

Author: Karthik P *, Rohini Purohit

Abstract: Arka Prakasha, a scientific treatise, written by Lankapathi Ravan explains in detail about the Arka preparations (distillation process). One such formulation is called as ‘Shushka Kasahara Arka’ which contains ingredients such as Kantakari, Draksha, Vasa etc. indicated in Shushka Kasa (dry cough). Navasadara (Ammonium chloride) is a Sadharana Rasa explained in Rasa Shastra texts which is known for its expectorant action in the upper respiratory tract. Nebulization is an important dosage form where medicines are in liquid form and can be converted to vapours. The inhalation of this helps in direct action of the medicines over the respiratory tract causing broncho-dilation and expectoration of increased phlegm. Since most of the ingredients present in the formulation have Kasahara (cough suppressant) and Shwasahara (broncho-dilator) property, Arka (distillate) produced by simple distillation method is analysed for its physico-chemical parameters. The pH of Shushka Kasahara Arka and its modified nebulizing liquid is 4.64 and 5.52 respectively. The HPTLC of both the samples showed an important bio-marker solasodine which is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant activity. Percentage composition of solasodine in SKHA-1 was 8.85% and that of SKHA-2 was 16.8%. The heavy metal testing for mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead was found to be within the standard limits as per API.

Keyword: Arka Prakasha, Shushka Kasahara Arka, Navasadara, nebulizing liquid, simple distillation, solasodine.