Physicochemical standardization, evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of a polyherbal formulation

The herbal drugs have been used since the human existence for the management of any disease conditions. The natural drugs are used worldwide with great acceptance especially in developing countries. Herbal drugs have some limitation when quality control aspect comes into the light. The standardization of the herbal or natural drugs is considered a challenge and WHO has laid down several guidelines for the quality control checks of herbal drugs. Physicochemical parameters and phytochemical screening along with TLC and HPTLC fingerprint are essential for standardization of the herbal drugs. Safoof-i Dama Haldiwala (SDH) is an important formulation of Unani System of Medicine. It is commonly used for the management of asthma. The standardization of this formulation was done as there was a lack of scientific data for this formulation, although, it is still used as an important drug for the respiratory ailments. Its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity was also evaluated to confirm its use in disease condition like asthma. The result of the study shown that it has showed antimicrobial activity with MIC of 200 mg/ml against S. aureus and E. coli. It has also shown the antioxidant activity and methanol extract exhibited greater antioxidant activity (IC50 = 415), compared to the hydroethanolic (IC50 = 473) and aqueous extracts (IC50 >500). The results of physicochemical, phytochemical parameters, TLC and HPTLC will serve as the finger printing for the standardization of SDH. The clinical trial may be conducted to validate its therapeutic efficacy in bronchial asthma.