A COMPARATIVE PHARMACEUTICO-ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF DHATRYADI GHRITA AND MAHAKUSHMANDA GHRITA IN STREE VANDHYATWA W.S.R. TO OVULATION-INDUCING ACTIVITY

Background: Stree Vandhyatwa in Ayurveda is associated with disturbances in factors essential for conception, with anovulation being an important cause of impaired female reproductive function. Dhatryadi Ghrita and Mahakushmanda Ghrita are classical Ghrita formulations indicated in Stree Vandhyatwa. Aim: To comparatively evaluate their pharmaceutico-analytical characteristics and ovulation-inducing activity. Materials and Methods: Dhatryadi Ghrita and Mahakushmanda Ghrita were prepared by classical Sneha Paka and evaluated for organoleptic, physicochemical, microbial, TLC and HPTLC parameters. Thirty female Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups of six: normal control, positive control, Dhatryadi Ghrita, Mahakushmanda Ghrita and standard drug (clomiphene citrate). Anovulation was induced using Primolut-N. Test formulations were administered orally at 5 mL/kg for 21 days. Estrous cyclicity, ovarian and uterine weights, serum estradiol and progesterone, and ovarian/uterine histopathology were assessed. Results: Both formulations showed satisfactory pharmaceutical characteristics and distinct HPTLC profiles. Estrus phase increased from 5.00 ± 0.836 days in the positive control to 6.00 ± 0.707 days with Dhatryadi Ghrita and 7.80 ± 1.068 days with Mahakushmanda Ghrita, with significant increase for Mahakushmanda Ghrita. Ovarian weight increased significantly by 233.3% and 226.6%, respectively. Mahakushmanda Ghrita significantly decreased serum estradiol by 41.87% and increased progesterone by 59.99%. Histopathology showed improved follicular development and corpus luteum formation, particularly with Mahakushmanda Ghrita. Conclusion: Both formulations demonstrated promising ovulation-associated activity, with Mahakushmanda Ghrita showing comparatively greater effects. Further clinical studies are required to establish efficacy and safety in women.