A Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of Choorna and Bhavitha Choorna of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.)

Abstract

Samskara is a pharmaceutical process which aids in the transformation of the inherent attributes of a  dravya which provides to the addition of a new property in them. The samskara or the processing helps  in the qualitative and quantitative alterations to the improvement, intensification, modification and  lowering the unwanted effects of the substance. Bhavana is one mode of samskara in which the powdered  drugs are soaked in an appropriate Drava (liquid medium like Swarasa, Kashaya etc.). Dravya is kept  completely immersed in drava or it is triturated in drava for specific time period. The drug Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.) is selected as the drug of choice for the purpose of bhavana. The  phytoconstituents present in the drug determines its efficacy. As the bhavana can amplify the efficacy of  a drug the present study aimed to compare the findings of phytochemical analysis of both the choorna and  bhavitha choorna of the drug. The tannin, fiber, phenol content and extractive values obtained for the  bhavitha choorna was found more than that obtained for the choorna indicating quantitative enhancement  of phytoconstituents which substantiate the fact that process of bhavana will help to increase the potency  and efficacy of a drug.