A Comparative Pharmacognostical and Pharmaceutical Study of Haritaki (Treesa) and Gomutra Haritaki w.s.r to Pancha Mahabhuta Composition

Abstract

Haritaki is considered as king of the medicine. It is described as prime ingredient in many formulations with different indications. Among them, Gomutra Haritaki is processed form of Haritaki which has additional qualities over Haritaki. Maintaining quality standard is must in the era of increasing demand for traditional medicines.  The present study was aimed to compare pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical profile of Gomutra Haritaki with Haritaki (Treesa) alone. Haritaki (Treesa) and Gomutra Haritaki were subjected to pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical and high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis and results were interpreted in regards of Guna and Pancha Mahabhuta. Epicarp cell, mesocarp cell and fibers of Haritaki were changed as squashed epicarp cell, loosened mesocarp cell and crushed fiber, respectively in processed form of Gomutra Haritaki. Simple and compound scleroids of Haritaki (Treesa) was changed as yellow content scleroids after pharmaceutical process with Gomutra. Yellow brown content tannin of Haritaki (Treesa) was dissolved after finished product. Presence of crystalline material was found in Gomutra Haritaki which may be due to Gomutra. Loss on drying of  Haritaki (Treesa) was 7.34% (w/w), total ash value of Haritaki (Treesa) was 2.201% (w/w), acid insoluble ash of Haritaki (Treesa) was 0.45% (w/w), pH value of Haritaki (Treesa) was 3.0, water soluble extract value of Haritaki (Treesa) was 55.6% (w/w) and alcohol soluble extract of Haritaki (Treesa) was 66.5% (w/w) while loss on drying of Gomutra Haritaki was 6.19% (w/w), total ash value of Gomutra Haritaki was 17.49% (w/w), acid insoluble ash of Gomutra Haritaki was 10.57% (w/w), pH value of Gomutra Haritaki was 5.0, water soluble extract value of Gomutra Haritaki was 56.3% (w/w) and alcohol soluble extract of Gomutra Haritaki was 36.5%. Changes observed in pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical findings between Haritaki (Treesa) and Gomutra Haritaki indicates additional qualities like Ushna, Tikshna, Sukshma, Pittala Guna of Gomutra Haritaki which indicates increase in Agni Mahabhuta. These changes in Guna and Panchmahabhuta constitution may be responsible for Dipana, Pachana, Bhedana, Ksharana action of Gomutra Haritaki.

Keywords: Gomutra Haritaki, Haritaki (Treesa), HPTLC, pharmacognosy, physicochemical

Cite this Article

Joshi S, Goyal M, Harisha CR et al. A Comparative Pharmacognostical and Pharmaceutical Study of Haritaki (Treesa) and Gomutra Haritaki w.s.r to Pancha Mahabhuta Composition. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacognosy. 2015; 2(3): 1–10p