Pharmacognosy and phytochemical study of Amalakayas Rasayana; an anti ageing Ayurvedic formulation

Abstract

Pharmacognostical study revealed that the ingredients of Amalakayas Rasayana are authentic. Physicochemical parameters of AR are within the accepted range. The 30.6% w/w of total ash and acid insoluble ash 3.45% w/w may be due to its iron (Fe2 O3 ) content. AR contains 50% w/w water soluble extractives, which indicates that AR is easily soluble in water. AR gives 2 and 6 spots on short and long UV light respectively, which indicate that its chemical compounds are easily separable. AR contains 27.5% w/ w iron (Fe2 O3 ) indicating it?s a good source of iron. The total phenolic content was given satisfactory linearity against Gallic acid equivalents (R2 = 0.998). The DPPH (R2 =1 in polynomial plotting) assay showed good linearity against ascorbic acid indicating its free radical scavenging activity. EDTA & NBT assays showed sufficient linearity (R? = 0.976) against ascorbic acid indicating potent superoxide radical scavenging activity, whereas ferrous reducing power was also showed satisfactory linearity (R? = 0.986). Total tannin was estimated 2.82 % w/w. The extract was also showed ROS scavenging activities (R2 =0.976; EC50=77.5?g/ml). These pharmacognostical, physic-chemical and analytical parameters will help to establish further standards of Ayurvedic drugs to assure their safety, purity and efficacy.