Preliminary Organoleptic and Physicochemical Characterization of Kaliṅgakādi Ghanavaṭī and Paṭolādi Ghanavaṭī

Background: Ghanavaṭī (solid extract tablet) formulations are widely used in Ayurvedic therapeutics, making pharmaceutical quality control important for consistency and reliability. Kaliṅgakādi Ghanavaṭī and Paṭolādi Ghanavaṭī were prepared for a comparative clinical study and underwent preliminary pharmaceutical evaluation before clinical administration. Objective: To characterize and standardize the two formulations using organoleptic, physicochemical, and friability parameters. Methods: Both formulations were prepared at the GMP-certified NIA Pharmacy, Jaipur, by the classical Kaṣāya-Ghana-Vaṭī method and analysed at the Drug Testing Laboratory, Department of Rasaśāstra, National Institute of Ayurveda. Appearance, colour, odour, taste, Loss on Drying, Total Ash, Acid-Insoluble Ash, Water-Soluble Extractive, Alcohol-Soluble Extractive, pH, and friability were assessed. Each parameter was a single determination on a pooled homogenized sample. Results: Both formulations were dark brown, characteristically odorous, bitter (Tikta), and round. Loss on Drying was 8.86% (S₁) and 6.90% (S₂); Total Ash 7.35% and 9.23%; Acid-Insoluble Ash 1.23% and 1.40%; Water-Soluble Extractive 64.60% and 55.52%; Alcohol-Soluble Extractive 40.88% and 29.96%; and pH 4.96 and 5.21, respectively. Friability was 0% for S₁ and 0.045% for S₂. Conclusion: Both formulations showed acceptable preliminary organoleptic, physicochemical, and mechanical characteristics. Because the measurements were single-point determinations without replicate analysis, the values should be interpreted as baseline reference data rather than statistically validated comparative standards. Keywords: Ghanavaṭī, pharmaceutical standardization, physicochemical analysis, organoleptic evaluation, friability, quality control, Ayurveda