Title: “Significance of Physico-Chemical Standardization in Homoeopathy” Psoralea Corylifolia Linn. as a Model Drug

Objective: The present study is an attempt to highlight the importance of Physico-chemical Standardization in Homoeopathic system of Medicine and also to lay down the physico-chemical standard/ profile for identification of genuine drug samples.

Materials & Methods: The air dried sample of seeds Psoralea corylifolia Linn was comminuted to obtain a coarse powder (10/44) which was then used for determination of moisture content and extractive values. The mother tincture was prepared as per H.P.I./I.P (1971). All chemicals and solvents used were of analytical grade. Physico-chemical constants were determined as per H.P.I. and TLC studies all three fractions were combined and concentrated to 2ml and 15µl was applied on T.L.C plate and it was developed using chloroform: ethanol (98.5 + 1.5v/v) as mobile phase and 5% methanolic KOH solution used for visualization. For U.V. absorbance, the mother tincture was diluted with 99 parts of menstrum the spectrum was recorded at 2000-600 nm.

Results: The raw drug studies shows moisture content 7.7% w/w, extractive values in different solvents like in acetone, chloroform, methanol and Petroleum ether are, (11.04% w/w), (10.25% w/w), (14.5% w/w) and 04.75% w/w respectively. Percolation, method has been used for preparation of mother tincture. Mother tincture has revealed the wt. per ml. 0.8 gm, total solids 2.54%w/v, pH value 7.5 and alcohol content 95% v/v. The T.L.C. studies shown that the chloroform extract of mother tincture reveals seven prominent peaks spots 0.1, 0.15, 0.22, 0.34 and 0.45 (Yellow) 0.66 and 0.90 ( light black).

Conclusion: The main significance attached to physico-chemical profiles/standards laid down through stringent analytical analysis to ensure the starting material free from any contamination/impurities for Quality products.

Published in: Drug Research Homoeopathic Institute, Annual Report, 1998-99 p, 49-55