PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC STANDARDIZATION OF MANJISHTHADI VATI: AN AYURVEDIC POLYHERBAL FORMULATION

Introduction: Vyanga (Melasma) is a Kshudra Roga characterized by painless hyperpigmented patches on the face caused by vitiation of Vata and Pitta Dosha along with Rakta Dushti. Manjishthadi Vati, owing to its Varnya, Raktashodhaka, and Pitta-Shamaka properties, was selected for the present study. It acts by pacifying vitiated Doshas, purifying Rakta, and reducing abnormal pigmentation, thereby aiding in the management of Vyanga. Aim: To analyse the pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical properties of Manjishthadi Vati. Materials and methods: Manjishthadi Vati was prepared using authenticated raw drugs and subjected to pharmacognostical evaluation through organoleptic and microscopic studies. Pharmaceutical evaluation included hardness, weight variation, loss on drying, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble extractive, alcohol-soluble extractive and pH determination using standard analytical procedures. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) was performed to develop the chromatographic fingerprint profile of the formulation. Results: Organoleptic and microscopic studies confirmed the presence of characteristic diagnostic features of all the constituent drugs. The physicochemical analysis showed hardness of 4.43 ± 0.15 kg/cm², weight variation of 315.8 ± 15.79 mg, loss on drying 0.88 ± 0.03% w/w, total ash 5.39 ± 0.31% w/w, acid insoluble ash 1.50 ± 0.34% w/w, water-soluble extractive 16.77 ± 0.43% w/w, alcohol-soluble extractive 34.15 ± 0.30% w/w, and pH 6.17 ± 0.29. TLC fingerprinting revealed characteristic spots at both 254 nm and 366 nm, confirming the presence of multiple phytoconstituents in the formulation. Conclusion: The present study established preliminary pharmacognostical, physicochemical and chromatographic standards for Manjishthadi Vati. The findings may serve as useful reference parameters for the identification, quality assessment and standardization of the formulation.