AN EVALUATION OF WET AND DRY DOSAGE FORMS OF VITEX NEGUNDO LINN (NIRGUNDI) LEAVES WITH THE HELP OF EXTRACTIVE VALUES W.S.R. TO SHARANGDHAR SAMHITA

Abstract

Nirgundi (Vitex negundo Linn.) is a hardy plant, which has enormous traditional uses against various diseases. Pharmacological properties of the plant drug depend on their phytochemical constitution. According to Sharangadharacharya, Ardra (wet) Dravya should be always used twice in quantity as compared to Shushka (Dry) Dravya. Considering this fact present study was planned to evaluate the wet and dry dosage forms of Vitex negundo Linn. (Nirgundi) leaves with the help of their extractive values with special reference to Sharangdhar Samhita. Ardra and Shushka dosage forms of Nirgundi leaves were prepared using fresh leaves Kalka for Ardra dosage form and powder of dried leaves for Shushka form. Extractive values were performed in multiple solvents like ethanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, aqueous and traditional Kwatha. Extractive values of Nirgundi leaves were found four times higher in ethanol, petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous extract of dry dosage form than wet/fresh dosage form. This confirms compositional difference and effect of drying in selected dosage of form of Nirgundi leaves.