Standardization of Yakrit Plihantak Churna: an Ayurvedic Polyherbal Formulation

Most of the traditional systems of medicine are effective but they lack of standardization. So there is need to develop standardization technique. Central Council for Research in Ayurveda has given preliminary guidelines for standardization the conventionally used formulations. Standardization of herbal formulations is essential in order to assess the quality of drugs, based on the concentration of their active principles, physical and chemical standards. This article reports on standardization of Yakrita Plihantak Churan a polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation used as hepatoprotective. Samples were collected from local market and were subjected standardized on the basis of organoleptic properties, physical characteristics, and physic-chemical evaluation. Microscopic characterization was compared with authentic ingredients as a reference. It was observed that commercial sample from market matched exactly with that of authentic standards after performing the standardization. The set parameters were found to be sufficient to evaluate the studied churn can be used as reference standard for the quality control/assurance purpose. INTRODUCTION: Traditional system of medicine recommends various crude drugs for the treatment of hepatic disorder. The management of the liver disease is still challenge to modern medicine. No drug has been developed in modern system of medicine which may stimulate the liver function, protect it from damage or help in generation of hepatic cells. The only available drugs for the treatment for liver disorders are corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. But they are having many side effects. Some of the important hepatoprotective polyherbal formulations are Liv-52, Livol, Arogyvarthini, Stimuliv, Terfroliv forte, Livit, Livomyn, and Adliv forte, etc. Yakrit Plihantak Churna (Yakrit means liver and Phila means spleen) is an herbal mixture of rare herbs to improve liver function. It helps the liver in clearing away the toxins, regernates the liver cells and prevents liver failure. It is also useful in liver cirrhosis, jaundice, liver damage due to alcohol, toxins and infection. The herb Picrorhiza kurrao increase the bile productin and exerction,where as Solanum nigrum,Eclipta alba and Andrographis paniculata improve liver function. Boerrhavia diffusa and Phyllanthus niruri regenerate liver cells and useful in liver enlargement and inflammation. Tephrosia purpurea and Cichorium intybus are immunodialator and corrects the liver metabolism. The combination of all eight herbs is a wonderful remedy for all liver problems. It contains excellent herbs for gall bladder clearing and clear gall stones naturally.