Introduction: Bilwadi Ghana Vati (BGV) is a classical polyherbal Ayurvedic preparation traditionally prescribed for Sthualya (obesity) in Sharangdhar Samhita. Although some clinical studies have investigated its effects, there has been no research so far focused on establishing quality control parameters for this formulation. Additionally, there are currently no official pharmacopeial standards available for BGV, meaning that recognized reference criteria for assessing its quality have not yet been developed. Aim: The aim is to assess Bilwadi Ghana Vati (BGV) using pharmacognostical and physicochemical evaluations, along with High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting. Materials and Methods: Authenticated raw materials for BGV were procured and the Bilwadi Ghana Vati was formulated at the pharmacy of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar. Organoleptic evaluation and microscopic studies of the formulation were performed at the Pharmacognosy Department, ITRA, Jamnagar. The physicochemical assessments were conducted in the Pharmaceutical Laboratory at ITRA, Jamnagar and HPTLC analysis was conducted in the Vasu Research Centre, Makarpura, Vadodara. Result: The microscopic characteristics of BGV were compared with the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) reference standards for each individual ingredient, and all expected features of the constituent herbs were observed. In the physicochemical evaluation, BGV showed a pH of 6.5, water-soluble extractive value of 19.5 % w/w, alcohol-soluble extractive value of 14.1 % w/w, total ash content of 10.9 % w/w, and loss on drying of 12.69 % w/w. HPTLC profiling revealed seven spots at 254 nm & 366 nm and ten spots at 540 nm. Conclusion: The present study provides preliminary data on the pharmacognostical and physicochemical parameters, along with HPTLC fingerprinting of BGV. The generated chromatographic profile may serve as a reference for future studies, aiding in the reproducibility of the formulation and in the establishment of quality control parameters for Bilwadi Ghana Vati.
Anandkumar M. Patel*1, V. K. Kori2, Harisha C.R.3, Mukesh Nariya4 (Mon,) studied this question.