Qualitative and Quantitative Standardization of Trikatu Churna

The Ayurvedic system of medicine mentions many of churna formulation. One of them is Trikatu churna, nowadays most widely used in cold, cough, indigestion and gastric discomfort. Trikatu churna is finely powdered (# 80) mixture of Zingiber officinalis, Piper longum and Piper nigrum. The main object of this study was to check the quality of laboratory prepared Trikatu churna as well as to establish certain qualitative and quantitative parameters which may help in standardization of churna. The WHO guidelines were followed to evaluate laboratory preparation and individual drug component to gather the information regarding the quality. The standardization of churna was carried out by evaluating parameters like powder photomicroscopy, TLC study and preliminary phytochemical study. In addition to these, Trikatu churna and individual powder components were evaluated by physicochemical parameters like bulk density, % porosity, % compressibility, Hauser's ratio, flow property etc. These additional parameters were useful to establish certain quantitative standards for assessment of Trikatu churna. In microscopic study, we have identified the different cells and tissues which give clear identity of the content of Trikatu churna. The phytochemical screening test as well as simultaneous TLC study confirms presence of reported chemical constituents and presence of each individual drug in churna by comparing R_f values respectively.