Pharmaceutical Analysis of An Anti-Diabetic Formulation: Kimshukatvagadi Ghana Capsule

Ayurveda is one of the oldest and holistic science. Herbal medicines have a long therapeutic history; serving many of the health needs of large population of the world. However, the quality control and assurance remains as a challenge due to the high discrepancy of chemical components involved. In Ayurvedic texts, several formulations have been mentioned in Prameha (Diabetes Mellitus). Kimshukatvagadi is one such formulation mentioned in Sahasrayoga Vati Prakarana adhyaya. It contains Palash (Butea monosperma Lam.), Haridra (Curcuma longa L.), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis L.), Kataka (Strychnos potatorum L.f.), Vairi (Salacia reticulata Wight). Kimshukatvagadi Vati was converted into Ghana to increase its potency and then it was sealed into Capsule for increasing the shelf life, making it easy to dispense, dose fixation etc. Kimshukatvagadi Ghana Capsule was subjected to organoleptic analysis, phytochemical and qualitative analysis to detect the presence of various functional groups, and to high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) examination by optimizing the solvent systems.

A review of antidiabetic active thiosugar sulfoniums, salacinol and neokotalanol, from plants of the genus Salacia

During our studies characterizing functional substances from food resources for the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases, we isolated the active constituents, salacinol (1) and neokotalanol (4), and related thiosugar sulfoniums, from the roots and stems of the genus Salacia plants [Celastraceae (Hippocrateaceae)] such as Salacia reticulata Wight, S. oblonga Wall., and S. chinensis L., and observed their antidiabetic effects. These plant materials have been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine as a specific remedy at the early stage of diabetes, and have been extensively consumed in Japan, the United States, and other countries as a food supplement for the prevention of obesity and diabetes. Here, we review our studies on the antidiabetic effects of plants from the genus Salacia, from basic chemical and pharmacological research to their application and development as new functional food ingredients. Graphic abstract