Preparation and standardization of Mathan Tailam: A classical Siddha formulation for diabetic ulcerative wound healing

BACKGROUND: Increasing popularity of Mathan Tailam (mattan tailam, pachai ennai) for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer necessitated standardization and quality control of this medicated oil both in large scale production and quality check in marketed drug. OBJECTIVE: Present study aims to develop standard operating procedure for the preparation of Mathan Tailam as per Siddha Formulary of India and its standardization using suitable analytical techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mathan Tailam was prepared as per Siddha Formulary of India. Physicochemical parameters and preliminary phytochemical screening were carried out using standard methods. The in-house prepared sample underwent physico-chemical analysis, qualitative phytochemical analysis, Gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS) analysis, High performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) fingerprinting profile and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopic (ICP-OES) analysis. RESULTS: Physico-chemical parameters of the prepared formulation were comparable to that of coconut oil. Aqueous methonolic extract of this drug was found to be positive for alkaloid, saponin, coumarin, steroid, triterpinoid, quinine and furan. The GC-MS values were comparable to that of the base used i.e., the coconut oil. HPTLC fingerprinting profile revealed the presence of phytochemicals in the medicated oil derived from both coconut oil and Datura metel. ICP-OES addressed the mineral portion of the formulation and its safety in heavy metal aspect. CONCLUSION: All these parameters can be utilized for the overall quality check over its preparation and formulation.