Pharmacognostical and Pharmaceutical Analysis of Shuladwipaghni Vati: A Herbomineral Formulation

Background: Herbomineral formulations are widely used in traditional medicine and are considered beneficial for managing chronic diseases when properly processed. Owing to their combined herbal and mineral constituents, such formulations often exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Shuladwipaghni vati is one such formulation that comprises ingredients individually known for these therapeutic potentials, suggesting its possible role in chronic inflammatory conditions. Systematic evaluation of its pharmacognostical characteristics and pharmaceutical processing is essential to establish standardisation parameters and provide a scientific basis for further research. Methods: Shuladwipaghni vati was prepared using authenticated and genuine raw drugs. As part of pharmacognostical evaluation, for herbal drugs, macroscopical and microscopical evaluation was performed, and for mineral drugs, XRD analysis was conducted. In pharmaceutical evaluation, physicochemical analysis and instrumental analysis were carried out. Results: The microscopic features of herbal drugs were compared with the standards of individual drugs mentioned in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Mineral identification was performed using XRD analysis. HPTLC revealed 9 peaks at ultraviolet 254 nm and 7 peaks at ultraviolet 366 nm, indicating a diverse range of phytoconstituents. ICP-OES heavy metal analysis detected cadmium (0.06 ppm) and mercury (0.19 ppm) within permissible limits of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of Sulphur, Halite, Boron, and Magnesium sulphite hydrate. FTIR showed peaks indicating OH, C=O, C-H, and C-O stretching. ICP-MS analysis detected Mg (0.29%), K(0.69%), Ca(0.08%), Mn(74.04 ppm), Cu (113.28 ppm), Zn (21.53 ppm), and Fe(96.22 ppm). Conclusion: The findings establish a scientific baseline for standardisation and future research on Shuladwipaghni vati.