A COMPARATIVE PHARMACEUTICAL STUDY OF SARASVATA GHRITA AND SAPTA AVARTITA SARASVATA GHRITA

Background: Sneha Kalpana is a pharmaceutical preparation, in which the base will be either oil or ghee. This contains both water soluble and fat-soluble constituents making it to reach deeper tissue. As these are lipophilic in nature it crosses the barriers in the body and get into targeted sites. This makes the formulation therapeutically more bioavailable. There are various medications in form of Ghrita in classical texts which is indicated for neurological disorders. Due to the inheriting consistency of ghee, this might be difficult to consume for some, particularly for children. Hence an attempt was initiated to evaluate pharmaceutically the efficacy of Sapta Avartana Sarasvata Ghrita as that of Sarasvata Ghrita. Aim: To compare and evaluate the organoleptic properties of Sarasvata Ghrita and Sapta Avartita Sarasvata Ghrita. Methods: Sarasvata Ghrita(SG) was prepared using Murchita Ghrita as Sneha Dravya; Kalka Dravyas such as Haritaki, Shunti, Maricha, Pippali, Patha, Vacha, Shigru, and Saindhava Lavana; and Drava Dravyas were Aja Ksheera and Jala. These were taken in the ratio 1:4:16. The preparation was carried out in Mandagni till Madhyama Paka Lakshanas were obtained. For obtaining Sapta Avartita Sarasvata Ghrita(SASG) the entire process was repeated for seven times. Results: The yield of Sarasvata Ghrita was 84.63% while for Sapta Avartita Sarasvata Ghrita it came as 99.43% due to the accumulation of fat molecules from the goat’s milk. Organoleptically, SG had yellow green colour with smooth and thick consistency, whereas SASG turned dark green with a free flowing consistency. Conclusion: The process of Avartana has altered the physical form and maintained the same chemical constituents with variation in quantity. The free-flowing consistency of SASG has enhanced the lipid solubility and absorption. Ghrita is known for its property to cross the blood brain barrier, the formulation certainly act on the neurological system. As the formula is concentrated due to repeated addition of the ingredients, the therapeutic dose can be minimised after confirming through analytical, experimental and clinical studies.