Short Communication Preliminary in vitro evaluation of some traditional Ayurvedic antacids

A preliminary in vitro acid neutralizing capacity test of twelve traditional Ayurvedic antacids were performed in this study. Five traditional preparations of ash of conch shell, ash of oyster, ash of pearl, limestone, and ash of cowrie showed high acid neutralizing capacity similar to standard antacid combination of Al(OH) 3 and Mg(OH) 2 . Among these the ash of conch shell found the highest acid neutralizing capacity. The ash of tamarind and ash of Achyranthus aspera showed moderate acid neutralizing capacity. The acid neutralizing capacity of red ochre; ash of iron; mixture of niter, alum and ammonium chloride; saltpeter; and ash of mica found below the USP 23 limit.