PHARMACEUTICO-ANALYTICAL EVALUATION AND IN-VITRO ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF KHADIRA KWATHA AND KHADIRA GHANAVATI AGAINST CANDIDA ALBICANS

Background: Khadira (Acacia catechu Willd.) is an important Ayurvedic drug traditionally indicated in the management of Kushtha. Khadira Kwatha is a classical liquid formulation, while Khadira Ghanavati is a concentrated solid dosage form prepared from the decoction. Aim: To evaluate and compare the pharmaceutical and physicochemical characteristics of Khadira Kwatha and Khadira Ghanavati and assess their in-vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: Khadira Kwatha was prepared using 100 g of coarse Khadira heartwood powder and 1600 mL of water, reducing the volume to approximately one-eighth of the initial quantity. The decoction was further concentrated to obtain Ghana, which was processed into Ghanavati. Both formulations were evaluated for organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical parameters, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and In-vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Results: Both formulations showed acceptable physicochemical and microbiological quality. Khadira ghanavati exhibited more antifungal activity than Khadira Kwatha Conclusion: Khadira Ghanavati showed greater inhibition than Khadira Kwatha. Also it is easy to administer and store. Further experimental and clinical studies are required to confirm its effectiveness in the management of kushtha.