Punarnavayolepa Choornam in Iron Deficiency Anaemia management: Pharmaceutic insights and biological activity.

Background and Aim: Indigenous medical systems employ unique pharmaceutical techniques to meet the therapeutic needs. In the Indian System of Medicine, Ayurveda, a unique method called Ayolepam is described that facilitates efficient iron absorption from its source to the formulation. Punarnavayolepa Choornam (PC), prepared from Boerhavia diffusa L., is one such novel Ayolepam formulation developed by a traditional Ayurveda school of South India, widely used in the clinical management of iron deficiency anaemia. This study aims at scientifically evaluating the Ayolepam technique by assessing the iron binding and bioavailability properties of PC, prepared from the leaves, root and whole plant of B. diffusa, using in-vitro model systems.. Experimental Procedure: The iron content in both raw and processed samples of PC was quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). A simulated in-vitro digestion model employed to assess the release of bioavailable iron from the formulation. Subsequently, iron bioavailability was evaluated using the Caco-2 cell model of human intestinal epithelium following the ferrozine method. Results and Conclusion: PC preparation from leaves, whole plant and roots of B. diffusa, showed significant increase in iron content compared to the raw material. In-vitro digestion studies confirmed the efficient release of bioavailable iron from these formulations, and subsequent Caco-2 cell assays confirmed their iron bioavailability properties. In conclusion, these findings provide a preliminary scientific basis for this novel and unique pharmaceutical design from a traditional school of Ayurveda, supporting its clinical application.