PHARMACEUTICO-ANALYTICAL PROFILING AND EXPERIMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF NISHADI GHRITA AND CHAITASA GHRITA

Background: Unmada is one among the major Manasika Rogas described in Ayurveda, characterized by derangement of Manas, Buddhi, Smriti, Sheela, Cheshta and Achara. Contemporary psychiatric disorders exhibit several features comparable to Unmada. Ayurvedic classics advocate the use of Ghrita preparations in Manasika Vikaras due to their Medhya, Yogavahi and Sukshma properties. Objectives: To evaluate and compare the pharmaceutico-analytical characteristics and antipsychotic activity of Nishadi Ghrita and Chaitasa Ghrita in experimental animal models. Methodology: Nishadi Ghrita and Chaitasa Ghrita were prepared according to classical references and subjected to pharmaceutical and analytical evaluation. Physicochemical parameters including specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, saponification value, iodine value and HPTLC profiling were assessed. Experimental antipsychotic activity was evaluated using D-amphetamine induced stereotypy in Swiss albino mice. Animals were randomly divided into control, standard and test groups. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test. Results: Both formulations complied with analytical standards. HPTLC studies demonstrated characteristic phytochemical fingerprints. Experimental evaluation showed significant reduction in stereotypic behaviour in treated groups compared to disease control. Nishadi Ghrita exhibited comparatively better antipsychotic activity than Chaitasa Ghrita. Conclusion: Nishadi Ghrita and Chaitasa Ghrita possess significant antipsychotic activity. Nishadi Ghrita demonstrated superior efficacy, supporting its classical indication in Unmada and related psychiatric disorders.