Standardization of Unani Antidiabetic Tablet - Qurse Tabasheer

BACKGROUND: Quality control of Unani polyherbal formulations is the need of the day for better acceptance of Unani medicine. Qurse Tabasheer (QT) is a Unani polyherbal formulation containing six ingredients, Tabasheer (Siliceous concretions) (Bambosa arundinaceae Retz.), Gule Surkh (Rosa damascena Mill. flower), Gulnar (Punica granatum Linn. flower), Tukhme kahu (Lactuca sativa Linn. seed), Tukhme khurfa (Portulaca oleraceae Linn. seed), and Gile Armani (bole) widely used in treatment of diabetes. The present study was taken up to scientifically evaluate the various physicochemical parameters to standardize the formulation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various physicochemical parameters including ash values, moisture content, extractive values, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance TLC (HPTLC), friability, disintegration, uniformity, and weight variation for standardization of QT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ingredients were identified by the experts. The method mentioned in national formulary of Unani Medicine with modification was followed for preparation of the tablets. Physicochemical standards were established for ideal batch of tablets on the basis of set parameters regarding friability, hardness, and disintegration. Various parameters such as organoleptic characters, extractive values for the extract and HPTLC fingerprinting postcompression were carried out for evaluation of QT. RESULTS: Parameters for loss of weight on drying, pH, ash values, extractive values documented. Qualitative chemical tests indicated the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, tannins, and steroids. TLC and HPTLC fingerprinting studies showing the presence of major peaks were documented. Friability, hardness, and disintegration time of ideal batch was 0.09 ± 0.0057, 4.03 ± 0.087, and 25.57 ± 0.4860 min, respectively, and it was found to be within the set limit. Weight variation was <5%. Total fungal and bacterial counts were found to be within the limit. CONCLUSION: Standards were established for poly herbal formulation QT, which may be used as reference for preparation and standardization of QT. SUMMARY: In this work Standardization of anti-diabetic tablet Qurse Tabasheer with diverse ingredients including herbal and mineral origin drugs has been attempted with identification of its ingredients, formulation, physicochemical evaluation and HPTLC finger printing, which may help in preparing consistent and better efficacious formulations. [Image: see text] Abbreviations Used: QT: Qurse Tabasheer TLC: thin layer chromatography HPTLC: high-performance thin layer chromatography WHO: World health organization FRLHT: Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions Fe(2)O(3): Iron oxide Sio(2): Silica CaCo(3): Calcium carbonate, Tio(2): Titanium Oxide NIUM: National Institute of Unani Medicine #: Mesh size LOD: Loss of weight on drying USP: United state Pharmacopeia UV: Ultra Violet λ: Lambda θ: theta CFU: Colony-forming unit