Formulation and evaluation of polyherbal Asava to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to formulate and evaluate the polyherbal asava for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The asava was formulated by taking reference from the ancient literature to cure the disease which has a complex pathophysiology. Herbs such as Salix caprea L., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight and Arn, Madhuca indica J.F. Gmel., Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Santalum album L., Saccharum officinarum L. (jaggery) were used in preparation of asava, using madhuca, woodfordia and jaggery as fermentating agents, and santalum and cinnamomum as additives. The physicochemical, phytochemical, quantification of markers by HPTLC were performed for the crude herbs. The physicochemical evaluations for the crude herbs were performed and complied with the standards. The phytochemical analysis of the crude drugs revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents. The quantification of markers in the crude drugs and optimized formulation by HPTLC was found as S. caprea (0.16, 0.86%), S. cumini (0.11, 0.60%), S. asoca (0.04, 0.29%), T. arjuna (0.008, 0.08%), M. indica (0.002, 0.02%). Five formulations, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 were prepared and evaluated for organoleptic parameters, pH, viscosity, refractive index, alcohol content, sugar content, total solids, total acidity by standard methods. Amongst all the formulations F1 was considered optimum. Biostatistical analysis was performed by using one-way ANOVA and found that there is no significant difference between the evaluation parameters. Heavy metal analysis, microbiological analysis and accelerated stability studies of the optimized formulation were performed and found stable.