Abstract

Gopendra Kumar Singh*, Richa Pathak and Sanjay Kumar Pandey

ABSTRACT

Sneha Kalpana (medicated oil/Ghrita) is most commonly prescribed Ayurvedic dosage from in routine clinical practice. This class of formulations is reported to treat a very wide range of diseases among patients of all age groups. Sneha Kalpas manufactured in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics are used extensively for medicinal as well as cosmetic purposes. It is one of the widely used techniques in Ayurvedic drug industry to achieve solubility of both fat-soluble and water-soluble extractives into the oil medium. Lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS) are one of the emerging technologies designed to address the challenges of solubility and bio-availability of poorly watersoluble ingredients. It is only Kalpana which is used through all four modes of administration viz., Pana, Abhyanga, Nasya and Basti. Quality and quantity of lipid soluble extract of medicinal ingredients varies, as per methods, types of material and ratio of material with reference to Sneha Dravya. Fat/Water soluble active principles of drugs are extracted into medicated oil in Sneha Kalpana. Classically, these formulations have longer shelf life in comparison to other Ayurvedic herbal medication forms. Medicated Taila is more therapeutically potent and have higher shelf life than crude Taila. The water soluble as well as fat soluble active principles can be transformed into Taila media and this addition of properties of material makes Taila therapeutically potent and effective. Increased saponification value indicates higher content of low molecular weight fatty acids. Medicated oils containing low molecular fatty acids are absorbed faster through cell membranes.