Development of Quality Control Parameters for Herbal Formulation, Pippali churna

The proper and meaningful utilization of our medical traditional heritage can only be achieved if each and every formulation mentioned in our indigenous system of medicines would be scientifically evaluated and their desired efficacy may be maintained. Pippali churna is a traditional herbal formulation, which is widely used in cough, hiccough relieving, hepatoprotective and insecticidal etc. It is one of famous ayurvedic formulation containing only one ingredient such as pippali. It is observed that the consistency and content varies from one manufactures to another, which affect its therapeutic activity. Hence, it is needed to develop a protocol for the evaluation of Pippali churna. In the present study three batches of different marketed polyherbal formulation, Pippali churna were procured from the local market and they were evaluated as per Indian Pharmacopoeia and WHO guidelines on the following parameters viz. organoleptic characteristics, extractive value, physical characteristics, moisture content, loss on drying, phytochemical evaluation etc. The result of the present study revealed that all three batches of Pippali churna were found in close proximity. This study on Pippali churna was precise, reproducible and may be considered as a protocol for its evaluation.