Abstract

Dr. Ankita Prajapati* and Dr. Surekha S. Medikeri

ABSTRACT

Local therapeutic procedures of eyes are explained as Netra Kriyakalpa in Ayurveda classics. It includes treatment modalities like Aschyotana, Anjana, Seka, Tarpana, Putapaka, Pindi and Bidalaka. Netra vartis are applied as Anjana(collyrium) is a popular method of application of medicament into the lower eyelids. Numerous Netravartis are described in the classical texts having wide scope of their therapeutic potential. One such netravarti is Haridradi varti mentioned by Acharya Chakradatta under netrarogadhikara. It contains Haridra, Daruharidra, Haritaki, Vibhitaki, Amalaki, Lodhra, Yashtimadhu and Raktachandana in equal proportion. It is indicated in conditions like timira, picchita, dhumadarshi and said to be sarvanetramayapaham (effective in all eye diseases). Pharmaceutical procedure involves trituration of fine powder of these drugs with Bhringaraj swarasa in iron and copper vessel for 7 days each. The prepared Haridradi varti was undertaken for various physico-chemical and instrumental analyses for providing insights into different variables. Physio-analysis of Haridradi varti shows: pH- 6.13, Total ash- 9.64%, Acid insoluble ash- 1.41%, Water soluble ash-2.49%, loss on drying- 6.28%, Water soluble extractive – 24.51%, Alcohol soluble extractive- 9.78%, uniformity of weight-0.305g, Disintegration time- 2 hr 45 mins, Hardness test- 9.72 kg. HPTLC report of Haridradi varti and it extracts showed different colour bands and their rf values. FTIR analysis of Haridradi varti showed C-H stretch, C=C stretch and C-N stretch present in the formulation suggesting the presence of alkane, alkene and amines respectively.