Chemical Profiling of Trijata Churna: A Herbal Formulation

Export Introduction: Trijata consists of three herbal drugs, namely, Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Twak (Cinnamomum verum), and Patra (Cinnamomum tamala), whose analytical standards as a group were not found to be reported to date. Methods: The present study was carried out to evaluate Trijata Churna by its organoleptic, physicochemical, phytochemical, fluorescence, and chromatographic screening (such as thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS). Results: The standard tests showed physicochemical parameters within the normal range and confirmed the presence of organic phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, reducing sugar, mucilage, proteins, amino acids, tyrosine, cysteine, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and inorganic elements such as sodium, iron, sulphate, phosphate, chloride, carbonate, and nitrates in the phytochemical analysis of the sample. The fluorescence analysis of the sample showed characteristic colors and fluorescence when observed in daylight, ultraviolet (UV) 254 nm, and UV 366 nm, respectively. The thin-layer chromatographic study of the ethanolic extract of the sample showed the presence of maximum spots under UV 254 nm followed by UV 366 nm and in daylight. GC-MS analysis of the ethanolic extracts showed eugenol content as nil in Ela, 134.24 mg/g in Twak, 152.51 mg/g in Patra, and 268.88 mg/g in Trijata Churna. Conclusion: The potential phytochemicals of Trijata might be responsible for its various properties, which in turn give therapeutic effects mentioned in classical texts. These parameters can be used during the preparation of standard monographs of this unexplored compound formulation. It can be used during selection of genuine samples by taking care of the adulterations. This study is an attempt to highlight the importance of Trijata by determining its various analyses and evaluating its indication in classical texts.