SYSTEMIC STANDARDISATION OF LOHASAVA - AN ANTI ANEMIC POLYHERBAL FORMULATION

Lohasava is a self-fermented polyherbal formulation used in the treatment of anemia, jaundice and digestive disorders. The aim of present study was to standardise a commercially available brand of Lohasava with respect to various physico-chemical and toxicological parameters. Alcohol-soluble and water soluble extractives were found to be 25.16% w/V and 28.18% w/V, respectively. Reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars were found to be 23.25% w/V and 0.45% w/V, respectively. Ethanol content was found to be 5.93% V/V employing headspace GC technique. Heavy metal analysis by ICP-AES showed the absence of lead and mercury whereas arsenic and cadmium were present within specified limits of WHO. Iron content for Lohasava was estimated to be 2.5 μg/mL. The formulation was also evaluated for microbial load showing absence of E. coli, P. aerugenosa, S. aureus and permissible levels of aerobic viable bacteria and moulds. The ethyl acetate extract of Lohasava showed 0.000186% w/V of gallic acid, quantified by HPTLC.