RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pathyashadangam kwath, a classical ayurvedic polyherbal formulation is used for the treatment of cluster head ache, migraine, upper respiratory diseases, ear ache and night blindness. Review of literature suggested that characterization parameters of Pathyashadangam kwath are not reported. OBJECTIVE: To report characteristic parameters of Pathyashadangam kwath to confirm quality and purity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fruit pericarps of Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amalaki, aerial parts of Bhunimba, rhizome of Haridra, stem bark of Nimba and stem of Guduchi were the ingredients of Pathyashadangam kwath. Three batches of the kwath were prepared as per standard procedures. The kwath was evaluated for organoleptic, physical, phytochemical and chromatographic parameters as per standard methods. RESULTS: HPTLC analysis revealed that Toluene: Ethyl Acetate: Formic acid (2.5: 2.0: 0.5) was a suitable mobile phase for characterization of the kwath. HPLC analysis revealed that andrographolide was a suitable marker for standardization of the kwath. CONCLUSION: The characterization parameters presented in this paper may serve as standard reference for quality control analysis of Pathyashadangam kwath.