DEVELOPMENT OF A MODIFIED DOSAGE FORM OF DASHANSANSKAR CHURNA AS A MOUTHWASH: PHARMACEUTICAL AND ANALYTICAL STANDARDIZATION WITH IN-VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATION

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy and quality of a modified mouthwash prepared from the ingredients of Dashansanskar Churna by evaluating its raw materials and finished product through various analytical parameters. The determination of foreign matter confirmed the high purity of all ingredients, including Zingiber officinalis (Ginger) and Syzygium aromaticum (Clove). pH analysis revealed that most ingredients were slightly acidic, supporting their potential antimicrobial properties. Terminalia chebula (Haritaki) showed the most acidic pH (3.54). Total ash and acid-insoluble ash analyses demonstrated varying mineral content and minimal contamination, with Cyperus rotundus having the highest ash content (6.82%). Moisture content (loss on drying) was moderate, with Zingiber officinalis having the highest value (5.42%), influencing stability. The alcohol- and water-soluble extracts highlighted Terminalia chebula and Areca catechu as the main contributors to the formulation's therapeutic properties. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) revealed diverse bioactive compounds across the raw drugs. The antimicrobial activity was tested against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, showing that Batches 5 and 6 had the highest efficacy. Batch 6 exhibited the broadest antimicrobial activity with inhibition zones up to 25 mm for S. aureus.