Organoleptic Physiochemical and Toxicological standardization of Marketed Herbal formulations

Abstract

In the present research work the marketed herbal formulations belonging to four categories like Anti-diabetic, Haematinic, Anti-oxidant and Hepatoprotective were analyzed for Organoleptic, Physiochemical and Toxicological parameters. The main purpose of the investigation was to document evidence for the users, and practitioners of marketed herbal formulations. Marketed Samples of different manufacturer were collected from Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. Organoleptic, Physiochemical and Toxicological parameters in herbal products were examined as suggested in as per W.H.O. The total of 40 herbal products of various brands were selected randomly and tested for Organoleptic, Physiochemical and Toxicological parameters like microbial contamination and Heavy metal content. WHO, (1998) mentions maximum permissible limits in raw materials only for arsenic, cadmium, and lead, which amount to 1.0, 0.3, and 10 p.p.m. respectively. Atomic absorption spectrometry is advanced technique to ascertain accumulation of heavy metals including, Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead in Herbal formulations and specific medias were used for to determine microbial contamination. Based on the results obtained in the present work, it is concluded that the some of the formulations from each category were not complying with W.H.O guidelines; such formulations are injurious to health of patient if consumed regularly. The formulations which are complying with W.H.O guidelines the reason may be some of these environment related factors can be controlled by implementing standard operating procedures (SOP) leading to Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Good Supply Practice (GSP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for producing these medicinal products from herbal or natural sources. The public s belief that herbal and natural products are safer than synthetic medicines can only be ascertained by imposing