CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE CONCEPT OF AVARTANA IN SNEHA KALPANA: A PHARMACEUTICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

Background: The Ayurvedic pharmaceutical process for preparation of medicated oils (Taila) and ghee (Ghrita) is a lipid based system that can accommodate constituents obtained from herbal pastes and liquid media. Avartana is a specific type of medicated lipid modification in which a pre-made medicated lipid is used multiple times, each time with a different set of pharmaceutical ingredients. The classical texts describe that repeatedly processed Sneha is more therapeutic but the scientific basis and modern evidence for this have to be assessed. Objective:Critically discuss the classical concept, pharmaceutical methodology, physicochemical implications, pharmacological implications, existing analytical evidence in Avartana in Sneha Kalpana, its limitations and future research needs. Methods:The literature of classical Ayurvedic texts describing Sneha Paka and repeated processing was reviewed along with the contemporary literature on pharmaceutico-analytical literature of Avartita Sneha particularly Ksheerabala Taila. The evaluation of the evidence was carried out with respect to the process variables, organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical parameters, extraction phenomena, lipid-mediated drug delivery, quality control and possible mechanisms that may affect therapeutic performance. Results: Repeated processing results in progressive changes in colour, odour, consistency, moisture content and some physicochemical parameters which are revealed from available studies. The studies of Ksheerabala Taila and its repeated Avartana have shown that there is significant pharmaceutical transformation from one cycle to another, such as change in consistency and specific gravity, refractive index, acid value, saponification value and related parameters. However, no evidence exists to confirm that the more Avartanas the greater the therapeutic potency or that it penetrates the blood–brain barrier or has improved systemic bioavailability. Conclusion: Avartana can be understood as a traditional repeated processing method that has the potential to alter the composition and physicochemical features of lipid based Ayurvedic formulations. It is more correctly understood as a "pharmaceutical fortification" and a "matrix modification" rather than a linear increase in potency. Comparative studies of the phytochemical profile, lipidomic profile, chromatographic fingerprint, stability, pharmacokinetic and clinical evaluation should be standardized to prove the therapeutic benefits of the cycle.