Pharmaceutical and Analytical Evaluation of Mukhavyangahara Arka and Kashaya: An Ayurvedic Formulation

Introduction: Mukhavyanga, known as facial blemishes or melasma, falls under Kshudra Roga in Ayurveda. It's widespread and impacts both appearance and mental health. The classical Ayurvedic texts recommend Mukhavyangahara Arka (a distillate) and Mukhavyangahara Kashaya (a decoction) for management of Mukhavyanga. Both formulations contain the same herbal ingredients, Vatankura (Ficus benghalensis), Masura (Lens culinaris), and Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), following Arkaprakasha (7/6). Although both dosage forms rely on identical ingredients, there’s a lack of comparative pharmaceutical and analytical studies between them. Methods: To prepare Arka, the herbal mixture (100 g in total, equal parts of each) is soaked in 1000 mL water (10×), then distilled to yield 600 mL (60%). For Kashaya, the same amount is boiled in 1600 mL water (16×), then reduced to 200 mL (1/8th volume). Both formulations are evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, specific gravity, and Loss on Drying. HPTLC is carried out using silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ and a mobile phase of Toluene:Ethyl acetate:Diethyl ether (3:3:1 v/v/v), with detection at 254 nm and 366 nm. Results: Arka appeared colourless, clear, with mild aromatic odour and slightly astringent taste; pH was 5.2 and specific gravity 0.998. Kashaya appeared brownish to dark brown, turbid, with strong herbal odour and predominantly astringent taste; pH was 5.9 and specific gravity 1.025. HPTLC at 254 nm showed Kashaya had multiple peaks across a wide Rf range (0.05–0.61) with major peaks near Rf 0.30 and 0.60, while Arka showed fewer peaks mostly below Rf 0.35. At 366 nm, Kashaya demonstrated strong fluorescence with a dominant peak at Rf 0.08–0.11 (~80% area); Arka had limited fluorescent peaks but showed a distinctive trace spot at Rf 0.95. Discussion and Conclusion: Even though both formulations start with the same ingredients, their chemical profiles diverge because of the different extraction methods. Kashaya, rich in polar and non-volatile compounds like tannins and flavonoids, supports superficial astringent and depigmenting actions. Arka carries volatile, low molecular weight constituents, which penetrate quickly. The HPTLC fingerprints not only offer reference standards for quality control but also reaffirm classical pharmaceutical principles.