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Background and aim: Guggulu is a resinous exudate obtained from the plant Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhand., which is used in Ayurvedic medicines for various ailments like anti-inflammatory conditions, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disorders etc. Guggulsterones E and Z are responsible for these broad ranges of pharmacological actions. Before incorporating it into medicinal formulations, shodhana (purification) has to be performed, which is a unique concept in Ayurveda. It covers the process of removal of physical and chemical impurities and also improves the efficacy of a drug. Many Shodhana (purification) procedures for Guggulu in different liquid media are mentioned in various Ayurvedic classical texts. Anandakanda, an Ayurvedic text, emphasises the purification of Guggulu in tila thaila (sesame oil) using a specialised apparatus, Dolayantra (swinging apparatus). The present study aims to carry out the preliminary physicochemical and phytochemical screening, quantification of Guggulsterones E and Z using HPTLC and GC-MS analysis of crude and purified Guggulu. Results: Significant variations were found in physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. Organoleptic evaluation showed notable variations in the physical characters. Before and after shodhana (purification), the mean concentrations of Guggulsterone E and Z revealed significant increase (at p<0.01). Few new compounds had been introduced to the purified Guggulu, according to the results of the GC-MS analysis. Conclusion: The traditional purification might have improved the physical features and phytochemical profileof Guggulu
Menon et al. (Mon,) studied this question.