STUDY ON POLY HERBAL SIDDHA PREPARATION “MATHUMEKA CHOORANAM” BASED ON SOME PRELIMINARY STEPS OF STANDARDIZATION METHODS

STUDY ON POLY HERBAL SIDDHA PREPARATION “MATHUMEKA

CHOORANAM” BASED ON SOME PRELIMINARY STEPS OF

STANDARDIZATION METHODS

Dr. S. Janani1* and Dr. M.A.M. Ajwad2

1

Lecturer (Probationary), Unit of Siddha Medicine, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern

University Sri Lanka.

2

Medical Officer, Siddha Teaching Hospital, Konesapuri, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT

In the few decades, there has been exponentially growth in the field of

herbal remedies. Newer guidelines for standardization, manufacture,

quality control and scientifically rigorous research will be necessary

for traditional treatments. This traditional knowledge can serve as the

powerful search engine that will greatly facilitate drug discovery.

Standardization of herbal formulations is essential in order to assess

the quality, purity, safety and efficacy of drugs based on the amounts

of their active principles. The aim of the present work is to standardize

“Mathumeka Chooranam” based on some preliminary steps of

standardization methods. The “Mathumeka chooranam” is Siddha

polyherbal formulation used in the treatment of Mathumekam (diabetes

mellitus). The drug was standardized on the basis of organoleptic characters, physical

characteristics and physico-chemical properties such as moisture content, ash values,

extractive values (water & ethanol) were carried out according to world health organization

guidelines and the results were compared with other formulation. The purpose of this

standardization involves the safe, proper selection and handling of crude materials, ensure

efficacy and stability of finished product, and guiding the consumer about the product.

KEYWORDS: Mathumeka chooranam, Mathumekam, Standardization.

Volume 7, Issue 9, 1447-1459. Research Article ISSN 2277– 7105

Article Received on 19 March 2018,

Revised on 09 April 2018, Accepted on 30 April 2018,

DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20189-12018

*Corresponding Author

Dr. S. Janani

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Sri Lanka has a rich heritage of traditional medicine constituting with its different

components like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Indigenous systems of medicines may be

explored with the modern scientific approaches for better leads in the health care. In the last

few decades, there has been an exponential growth in the field of Indigenous medicine .There

are great need of standardization and quality control of Indigenous formulations.

Standardization and quality control depends upon the nature of crude drug and compound

drugs.

Herbal medicines as the major remedy in traditional system of medicine have been used in

medical practices since antiquity. The practices continue today because of its biomedical

benefits as well as place in cultural beliefs in many parts of the world and have made a great

contribution towards maintaining human health. Approximately 60% of the population use

herbal medicines to treat medical illnesses. Therefore, reproducible standards of each plant

are necessary for effective quality control to prevent adulteration.

The subject of herbal drug standardization is massively wide and deep. Standardization is an

essential factor for herbal formulation in order to assess the quality of the drugs based on the

concentration of their active principle. Thus the present study deals with standardization of

Siddha herbal preparation Mathumeka chooranam. Mathumeka chooranam is mentioned in

the Siddha pharmacopeia by Dr. Pon Ramanathan, for the treatment of mathumekam

(Diabetes mellitus).

The term Chooranam (Powdered herbal preparation for internal use) is applied to the powder

prepared by a single or a combination of two or more herbal ingredients. Mathumeka

Choornam is a popular compound preparation of four ingredients used for diabetes mellitus.

It consists of Kadukaay thol (Terminalia chebula), Nelli vatral (Phyllunthus emblica),

Kariveppilai (Murraya koenigii) and Sirukurincha (Gymnia sylvestra).

Systematic protocols for standardization of Mathumeka chooranam is not available, hence it

was decided to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative analysis for Mathumeka chooranam

scientifically to prevent its adulteration. For the standardization of these drugs organoleptic

properties, physical and chemical studies were carried out. TLC of the Mathumeka

designed to prepare and standardized the Mathumeka chooranam in accordance with the

WHO guidelines.

Statement of the problem

Diabetes mellitus is a very commonest problem in the world. Although synthetic drugs

available for the treatment of diabetes causes multiple unwanted effects. To avoid this

problem search of newer and alternative therapy is getting important. Thus several studies are

ongoing worldwide to find natural healing agents with better safety profile. In siddha

medicine, there are many drugs signified for management of mathumekam (Diabetes

mellitus) even though the availability of standardization studies about that medicines are

limited in our country. Therefore the current study aimed to standardize the mathumeka

chooranam through some preliminary studies.

Hypothesis

Mathumeka Chooranam is an effective medicine for mathumekam (Diabetes mellitus).

Objectives

General objective

To standardize the Mathumeka chooranam through some preliminary studies.

Specific objectives

 To identify the botanical aspect of each crude materials (authentication & organoleptic

characters).

 To identify the microscopic aspects of each powders.

 To calculate the moisture content, ash value and extract value (water soluble & ethanol

soluble).

Significance of the study

The use of herbal drugs has been increased all over the world due to their huge therapeutic

effect and less adverse effects as compared to other medicines. The herbal drugs are very

effective but due to adulteration and lack of standardization, the effectiveness of the herbal

drug is decreased. Therefore there is need of development of standardization parameters. It

Scope of the study

 Scientifically proof the herbal drug formulations or alignment with modern technology.

 Assess the quality of drugs, based on the concentration of their active principles.

 Assess the purity, safety and efficacy of the drug.

METHODOLOGY

Authentication

Ingredients of Mathumeka Choornam is consists of Kadukaay thol (Terminalia chebula),

Nelli vatral (Phyllunthus emblica), Kariveppilai (Murraya koenigii) & Sirukurincha (Gymnia

sylvestra).They were procured from local market of Colombo district and was botanically

authenticated and voucher specimen (No: IN 003) was deposited by the botany section of the

Bandaranayaka, Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute (BMARI), Nawinna, Maharagma,

Sri Lanka.

Preparation of Mathumeka chooranam

The Mathumeka chooranam was prepared according to the procedure of Siddha Pharmacopea

by Dr. Pon Ramanathan. In house formulation of Mathumeka chooranam prepared from each

equal parts of Kadukaay thol (Terminalia chebula), Nelli vatral (Phyllunthus emblica),

Kariveppilai (Murraya koenigii) and half part of Sirukurincha (Gymnia sylvestra). These all

ingredients were washed with water and dried in shade. The individual ingredients were then

powdered using a grinder and sieved through cotton cloth. Weigh separately each powdered

ingredient and mix together. Pack it in tightly closed containers to protect from light and

moisture.

Organoleptic evaluation

Organoleptic evaluation was used for identification of sensory characteristics like colour,

odour, taste & texture. The organoleptic characters of the samples were carried out based on

Ayurvedic pharmacopeia.

Microscopic Study

Individual microscopic analysis of each ingredient of the formulation along with Mathumeka

chooranam was carried out to by classical pharmacognostical methods. The authenticity of

the individual ingredients was confirmed by comparison of their power characteristics with

Physicochemical evaluation

Physicochemical parameters such as Loss on drying, ash values and extractive values (water

& ethanol) of both chooranams were determined as per guidelines of World Health

Organization (WHO).

 Loss on Drying

Loss on drying is the loss of mass expressed as percent w/w. About 2g of 3 drug samples of

each formulation was accurately weighed in a dried and tared flat weighing dish and dried at

1050C for 5hrs/ until become constant weight. The percentage was calculated with reference

to initial weight. Finally calculate the average value.

 Determination of Total Ash

2samples of 0.5g and1 sample of 1g of powdered material of each formulation were placed

separately in a suitable crucible of silica previously ignited and weighed. The powdered drugs

were spread into an even layer and weighed accurately. The materials were incinerated by

gradually increasing the heat, not exceeding 450°C until free from carbon, cooled in a

desiccator, weighed and percentage ash was calculated by taking in account the difference of

empty weight of crucible & that of crucible with total ash. Finally calculate the average

value.

 Alcohol Soluble Extractive Value

2.5g of coarsely powdered air-dried drug was macerated with 50ml of 95% of ethanol in a

closed flask for twenty-four hours, shaking frequently during six hours and allowed to stand

for eighteen hours. It was then filtered rapidly; taking precautions against loss of solvent.

20ml of the filtrate was evaporated to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish at 105°C

to constant weight and weighed. The percentage of alcohol-soluble extractive was calculated

with reference to the air dried drug and is represented as% value.

 Water Soluble Extractive Value

2.5g of coarsely powdered air-dried drug was macerated with 50 ml of 95% of chloroform

water in a closed flask for twenty-four hours, shaking frequently during six hours and

allowed to stand for eighteen hours. It was then filtered rapidly, taking precautions against

loss of solvent. 20ml of the filtrate was evaporated to dryness in a tared flat bottomed shallow

dish at 105°C to constant weight and weighed. The percentage of water-soluble extractive

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Plant description and authentication

1. Emblica officinalis (Dried)

Nelli consists of pericarp of dried mature fruits of Emblica officinalis Gaertn.Syn.

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Fam. Euphorbiaceae); mostly collected in winter season after

ripening, a small or medium sized tree, found both in natural state in mixed deciduous forests

of the country ascending to 1300 m on hills; cultivated in gardens, home yards or grown as a

road side tree.

Vernacular names

Sanskrit: Ëmalaka

English: Emblic Myrobalan

Tamil: Nellikkai, nelli

Sinhala: Nelli

Macroscopic description

Drug consists of curled pieces of pericarp of dried fruit occurring either as separated single

segment; 1-2 cm long or united as 3 or 4 segments; bulk colour grey to black, pieces

showing, a broad, highly shriveled and wrinkled external convex surface to somewhat

concave, transversely wrinkled lateral surface, external surface shows a few whitish specks,

occasionally some pieces show a portion of stony tester (which should be removed before

processing); texture rough, cartilaginous, tough; taste, sour and astringent.

Terminalia chebula

Kadukaay consists of the pericarp of mature fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Fam.

Combretaceae), a moderate sized or large tree, chiefly in deciduous forests and areas of light

rainfall, but occasionally also in slightly moist forests, up to about 1500 m elevation,

throughout India, flowers appear from April, August and fruits ripen from October-January.

Vernacular names

Sanskrit: Abhaya, Harithaki

English: Myrobalan

Tamil: Kadukkaai

Macroscopic description

Intact fruit yellowish-brown, ovoid, 20-35 mm long, 13-25 mm wide, wrinkled and ribbed

longitudinally, pericarp fibrous, 3-4 mm thick, non-adherent to the seed, taste, astringent.

Gymnema sylvestre (Leaf)

Sirukurinchaa consists of dried leaf of Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. (Fam.Asclepiadaceae), a

large woody, much branched, climber, with pubescent young parts, found in dry forests up to

600 m.

Vernacular names

Sanskrit: Meshashringi, madhunashini

English: Periploca of the wood

Tamil: Shirukurum Kaay, Shakkaraikkolli, Sirukurinchaa

Sinhala: Masbadhdha

Macroscopic description

Leaf simple, opposite, elliptical or ovate, petiolate, petiole 6 to 12 mm long and pubescent;

lamina 3 to 6 cm long and 1 to 3 cm broad; acute or shortly acuminate; more or less

pubescent on both sides, base rounded or cordate, venation reticulate; odour, unpleasant;

taste, bitter and acrid.

Murraya koenigii

The plant belonging to Rutaceae family. Shrubs or trees are up to 4 m tall and is found in

evergreen areas and in moist forest. Leaves of Murraya koenigii (L) Spreng (Mitha neem) are

aromatic and commonly used as flavoring agent in Sri Lanka curry preparation since ancient

times.

Vernacular names

Sanskrit: Surabhinimba

English: Curry leaves

Tamil: Kariveppilai, Karivempu

Sinhala: Karapinchaa

Macroscopic description

Curry leaf tree is a small tree, growing 4–6 m (13-20 feet) tall, with a trunk up to 40 cm

bipinnately compound with estipulate in alternate arrangement., with 11-21 leaflets, each

leaflet 2–4 cm long and 1–2 cm broad. They are highly aromatic; taste, acrid.

Table 1: Organoleptic Properties of powders of each ingredient.

Ingredients Parameters

Appearance Colour Odour Taste

Terminalia chebula

Smooth powder

Yellowish

brown Characteristic Astringent

Phyllunthus emblica

Smooth

powder Brown Characteristic Sour & astringent

Murraya koenigii

Smooth

powder Dark green Aromatic

Slight pungent, bitter & feebly acidic taste

Gymnia sylvestra

Smooth

powder Light green Unpleasant Bitter & acrid

Table 2: Organoleptic Properties of Mathumeka chooranam.

Parameters Mathumeka chooranam Appearance Smooth powder

Colour Brownish green

Odour Aromatic

Taste Slightly bitter & astringent

Table 3: Loss on drying readings of 3 samples of Mathumeka chooranam.

Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Initial weight (g)[empty

dish] 83.8727 80.9342 78.3667

Sample weight(g) 2.0134 2.0209 2.0141

Final weight(g) [after 3

hours ] 85.6856 82.7538 80.1822

Weight(g) [after 5 hours ] 85.6741 82.7393 80.1769

Constant weight (g) [after

6 hours ] 85.6740 82.7395 80.1769

Weight difference(g) 85.6740 - 83.8727 = 1.8013

82.7395 - 80.9342 = 1.8053

80.1769 - 78.3667 = 1.8102 Weight of moisture

content (g)

2.0134 - 1.8013 = 0.2121

2.0209 – 1.8053 = 0.2156

2.0141- 1.8102 = 0.2039

Percentage (%) x 100 =

10.53442

x 100 =

10.66851

x 100 =

10.12363

Table 5: Ash values of 3 samples of Mathumeka chooranam.

Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Initial weight (g)[empty

crucible] 36.5521 11.7973 23.5960

Sample weight(g) 1.0368 0.5015 0.5056

Final weight(g) (after 24 hrs) 36.6288 11.8330 23.6327

Next reading(g) (after 2 hrs) 36.6253 11.8303 23.6317

Constant weight(g) (after 4

hrs) 36.6253 11.8302 23.6317

Weight difference(g) 36.6253 - 36.5521 =

0.0732

11.8302- 11.7973 = 0.0329

23.6317- 23.5960 = 0.0357

Percentage (%) x 100 =

7.06019

x 100 =

6.56032

x 100 =

7.06092

Average % 7.06019 + 6.56032 + 7.06092 / 3 = 20.68143 / 3 = 6.89381

Table 7: Extract values of Mathumeka chooranam.

95% of Ethanol Water

Initial empty weight(g) 36.1069 37.6350

Sample weight(g) 2.5036 2.5074

Volume of solvent(ml) 50 50

Final weight(g) in 20ml

(weight 1) 36.3131 37.9814

Final weight(g) in 20ml

(weight 2) 36.3130 37.9786

Final weight(g) in 20ml

(weight 3) 36.3090 37.9786

Percentage% x x

100 = 20.21

x x

100 = 34.36

Table 9: Physicochemical Parameters: Mathumeka chooranam.

Quantitative standards Result in % w/w

(Mathumeka chooranam)

Total Ash Value 6.89381

Moisture content 10.442187

Alcohol soluble extractives 20.21

Aqueous soluble extractives 34.36

Table 10: Standard value of physicochemical Parameters of choorna.

Parameter S.V.(standard value of

choorna)

Moisture content (%) ≤10

Water soluble extractive (%) 10 to 20

Ethanol soluble extractive (%) 15 to 20

Figure 1: Loss on drying values.

Figure 2: Total ash values.

Figure 4: Alcohol soluble extract values.

Figure 5: Extract values of mathumeka chooranam.

The above formulation was prepared in accordance with the Siddha pharmacopeia. As part of

standardization procedure, the finished product Mathumeka chooranam was tested for

relevant physical and chemical parameters.

The Mathumeka chooranam was Brownish green colour. The powder was smooth, having

aromatic and characteristic odour in subsequently, possessing bitter and astringent taste. The

organoleptic properties of the ingredients of Mathumeka chooranam was reported in table 1.

The organoleptic properties of the Mathumeka chooranam was described in table 2. Quality

tests for Mathumeka chooranam was performed for moisture content; ash content, water

soluble extractive and ethanol soluble extractive were found to be within standard ranges.

The loss on drying of the Mathumeka chooranam is given in table 3 & 4. The extractive

The total ash value of Mathumeka chooranam is (6.89381%). Moisture content for

Mathumeka chooranam was found to be 10.442187%. The Alcohol soluble extractives

percentage of Mathumeka chooranam is 20.21%. Aqueous soluble extractives percentage of

Mathumeka chooranam is 34.36. The extractive values of formulation in water were found to

be much higher than alcohol extractive values.

The standard range of loss on drying is equal or less than 10%. Moisture content for

Mathumeka chooranam was found approximately in standard range. Like that a total ash

value of the preparation was found in almost in normal range. (Standard is 7 – 10%) Water

soluble extractive of mathumeka chooranam (34.36%) is high than standard value (10 20%).

Alcohol soluble extract values of both formulations were in standard range.

CONCLUSION

From the present investigation various standardization parameters such as physicochemical

standards like total ash, water & alcohol soluble extractive values and loss on drying were

carried out, it can be concluded that the formulation of Mathumeka chooranam contains most

good characters of an ideal Chooranam. The sample shows satisfactory results, but the

efficacy of the products can only be judged by doing the pharmacology of which is suggested

as future scope. The study shows that the maximum contents of formulation presents within

the permissible limits as per WHO and the standard literature such as in pharmacopoeia,

which could helpful in authentication of Mathumeka chooranam. There is some mild

verification presents in this study also. It may due to different geographical location where

there plants grow.

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