Physicochemical and phytochemical investigations of a poly herbal unani formulation: Qurse mafasil

Abstract

Qurse mafasil’ is a Unani poly herbal formulation mentioned in Qarabadeen-e-Majeedi (which is now a part of National Formulary of Unani Medicine, India), commonly prescribed for rheumatic conditions. This formulation contains three ingredients Curcuma longa Linn., Colchium luteum Baker. and Acacia arabica Willd. These herbals have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti oxidant, etc. properties. In present context, the adulteration has become a major problem due to unavailability of standards relating to genuineness of herbal drugs. The WHO has emphasized the need to certify the quality of herbal products by adopting various standard parameters. In this study efforts have been made to analyze the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters such as extractive values, ash values, loss on drying, pH, swelling index, fluorescence analysis, powdered drug reaction with different reagents, disintegration test, uniformity of mass/ weight variation and estimation of total phenolics and flavonoids content were carried out in Qurse mafasil tablet. HPTLC fingerprint profiles of different extracts of the drug also developed. This would serve as a standard reference for identification, authentication and for further studies in this Unani formulation