PRELIMINARY PHYSICO CHEMICAL AND CHROMATOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF VASA ARKA (LEAF OF ADATHODA VASICA NEES) FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DOSAGE FORM FOR NEBULISATION

In the present scenario where the number of people being affected with respiratory ailments is at high, a proper management technique with best effect and least side effects has become a necessity. A nebulizing agent is far more potent than an oral medicine due to its increased absorption as well as its assimilation rate. Vasa (Adathoda vasica Nees) is one of the best medicines used for respiratory illness in the science of Ayurveda. According to literature review it possesses swasa kasahara action. Researches have been conducted on this herbal medicine over respiratory ailments and showed positive results. But no information is obtained on the nebulization effect of Vasa. The present study aims to evaluate the physicochemical parameters of Vasa arka & Vasa swarasa and to analyse the chromatography profile of Vasa arka and Vasa swarasa. Through this research, an attempt is done to expand the potential possibilities of Vasa as a nebulizing agent. The Pharmaceutical study includes collection of genuine Vasa leaves followed by its pre- processing and finally conversion to the Vasa swarasa and Vasa arka. Physico-chemical analysis was carried out as per parameters mentioned in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.8. Preliminary phytochemical investigations were carried out by following standard procedure.However In the present study, the preliminary phytochemical analysis of the swarasa and arka of vasa revealed the presence of important antioxidant phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds. The study revealed that vasa is inherently having bronchodilatory action. Preparing arka of the same retained the volatile oil and active principles that were responsible for the bronchodilating action. The present study concluded that vasa arka are effective in the management of respiratory illness in the form of nebulizing agents.