PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF RASA MEDAPACHAKA TABLET

Introduction: Dyslipidaemia is a major metabolic disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In Ayurveda, it may be understood in relation to Medodushti and Medovruddhi, where impairment of Rasa and Meda Dhatu contributes to disease progression. Rasa Medapachaka Tablet is a classical polyherbal formulation traditionally indicated for correcting Apakva Rasa-Meda conditions. Establishing quality standards for this formulation is essential because no official monograph is currently available. Aim: To establish pharmacognostical, physicochemical and thin layer chromatographic standards for Rasa Medapachaka Tablet. Materials and Methods: The raw drugs were identified and authenticated using standard pharmacognostical methods. The finished formulation was subjected to organoleptic, microscopic, physicochemical and TLC evaluation using standard analytical procedures. Results: Powder microscopy confirmed the presence of characteristic diagnostic features of all constituent drugs, indicating the authenticity of the formulation. Physicochemical evaluation revealed a pH of 6.33 ± 0.29, hardness 1.60 ± 0.17 kg/cm², average tablet weight 432.63 ± 3.50 mg, disintegration time 28.70 ± 1.81 min, loss on drying 3.42 ± 0.43% w/w, total ash 4.27 ± 0.27% w/w, acid-insoluble ash 1.31 ± 0.22% w/w, water-soluble extractive 10.79 ± 0.59% w/v, and methanol-soluble extractive 18.70 ± 0.84% w/v. TLC fingerprinting generated characteristic chromatographic profiles with distinct Rf values under both 254 nm and 366 nm UV wavelengths. Conclusion: The present study establishes comprehensive pharmacognostical, physicochemical and chromatographic standards for Rasa Medapachaka Tablet. The generated data may serve as a reference for quality control, authentication and future standardization of this formulation.