PHARMACEUTICO-ANALYTICAL STUDY OF KHADIRARISHTA AND ITS IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY ON A431 SKIN CANCER CELL LINE

Khadirarishta is a classical Ayurvedic fermented formulation traditionally indicated in Kushtha, Granthi, and Arbuda. The present study was undertaken to prepare and standardize Khadirarishta according to classical Ayurvedic references and to evaluate its in vitro cytotoxic activity against A431 skin cancer cell line. The formulation was prepared using authenticated raw materials following standard pharmaceutical procedures. Organoleptic, pharmacognostical, and physicochemical analyses were carried out as per Ayurvedic pharmacopeial standards. In vitro cytotoxic activity was assessed using MTT assay on A431 skin cancer cell line at varying concentrations, and percentage cell viability along with IC50 values were determined. The prepared formulation exhibited acceptable physicochemical characteristics within standard limits. Cytotoxic evaluation demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of A431 cells with progressive reduction in cell viability at increasing concentrations, indicating appreciable cytotoxic potential of the formulation. The observed activity may be attributed to the presence of phytoconstituents possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential anticancer properties in the constituent drugs of Khadirarishta. The findings of the present study provide preliminary scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of Khadirarishta in conditions comparable to Arbuda and suggest its potential for further experimental and clinical anticancer research.