A Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of Choorna and Bhavitha Choorna of Fruit of Alabu (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standely)

Bhavana is a pharmaceutical process done for potentiating or purification of drugs. The powdered drugs are soaked in an appropriate drava (liquid medium) so as to completely immerse the drug in the drava and kept for a specific period of time or it is triturated in the drava for specific time period. This process is called Bhavana. It helps to improve the therapeutic property of the drug. Generally soaking method of Bhavana is done for herbal drugs. This increases the efficacy of the drug and hence the effective dose can be reduced. The fruit of Alabu (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standely) indicated in Paithika Hridroga in Susrutha Chikitsa sthana was selected and detailed phytochemical evaluation of choorna and Bhavitha choorna of Alabu [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standely] was carried out in the present study. The preliminary phytochemical analysis aims at analysing the physico chemical property of drugs, their qualitative analysis, ash values, extractive values, moisture and volatile contents, estimation of Tannins and Phenols. On analysing the phytochemical constituents present in the crude drug, the drug revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, steroids and tannins. Bhavitha choorna showed more values than choorna of Alabu (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standely) indicating quantitative enhancement of phytoconstituents which substantiate the fact that process of Bhavana will help to increase the potency and efficacy of the drug