Abstract:
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that has
been used for thousands of years. It comprises a
variety of medicines, including fermented forms
such as Arishta (fermented decoctions). The
therapeutic use of Arishta is determined by the
properties of its ingredients and the method of
preparation. Because of the differences in the
ingredients used and the manufacturing process
applied
by different manufacturers, the
physicochemical characteristics are susceptible to
various changes. In the present study, different
brands of Nimba Arishta, mainly made from
Azadirachta indica (A, B, C, D, E and F) available
in the market were thoroughly evaluated for their
physicochemical parameters to establish an
accepted procedure for standardisation of these
Ayurvedic formulations. The physicochemical
parameters such as pH, brix, refractive index,
specific gravity, total dissolved solids, total ash
content, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash
contents were evaluated. The results of the study
were found within these ranges; pH 3.01(D) -
3.64(A), refractive index 1.3725 (A) - 1.4019(C),
specific gravity 1.0684(A)- 1.0864(F), brix
25.06(A) - 41.00(C), total dissolved solids (g/mL)
0.1993(A) - 0.4107(C), total ash content (w/w%)
0.0971(D) – 0.1070(A), water soluble ash content
(w/w%)( 0.004(B) - 0.0899(F), acid insoluble ash
content (w/w%) 0.0131(D) - F-0.0571(F). The
results showed that the formulation of different
brands of Nimba Arishta varies, highlighting the
need for standardisation of Arishta.
