Physicochemical characterization and HPTLC profiling of commercially available Kabasura Kudineer Chooranam

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing viral infection and currently, limited vaccines with no post-market safety data or repurposed drugs are available to combat this contagious viral disease. Kabasura Kudineer, an official polyherbal Siddha medicine containing numerous herbal ingredients, is being practiced primarily in southern parts of India in the management of COVID-19 pandemic for boosting the respiratory system and treating fever with flu-like symptoms. The present study is carried out to scientifically validate the traditional claim and to confirm identity, quality and purity of marketed Kabasura Kudineer polyherbal formulations in India. Kabasura Kudineer Chooranam manufactured by two different manufacturers was procured from New Delhi, India. The physicochemical characterization of the samples was carried out in accordance with the standards laid down by Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2018. HPTLC profiling of key ingredients including Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Pippali (Piper longum), Vasaka (Adhatoda vasica) and Lavang (Syzygium aromaticum) were also carried out in accordance with IP 2018 monographs. The chromatographic analysis showed the presence of all major ingredients in both the marketed preparations and all the physicochemical properties were also found comparable among preparations. Our findings may enhance the global acceptance of Siddha medicines practiced widely in India and also used for laying down the pharmacopoeial standards of Kabasura Kudineer Chooranam.