A Study on the Standardization and Quality Evaluation of Panchabhautika Medicines for Amlapitta

Abstract

Amlapitta, a common gastrointestinal disorder in Ayurveda, arises due to the vitiation of Pitta Dosha and impairment of Agni, presenting with symptoms such as indigestion, nausea, sour belching, and burning sensation, and correlates with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The present study evaluates the quality of Panchabhoutika medicines prescribed in Amlapitta. Various herbal, herbo-mineral, and mineral drugs procured from a good manufacturing practice-certified pharmacy were assessed using Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)- recommended physicochemical and analytical parameters, including moisture content, ash values, extractive values, hardness, disintegration time, pH, elemental analysis, and phytochemical screening. The findings demonstrate
significant variation in quality attributes influencing therapeutic action: mineral-based formulations such as Shouktika Bhasma and Laghusutashekhara Rasa exhibit rapid disintegration and alkaline nature, providing quick symptomatic relief, whereas herbal and herbo-mineral formulations such as Phalatrikadi Guggulu, Gokshuradi Guggulu, and Paripathadi Kaadha show higher extractive values and phytochemical richness, supporting sustained therapeutic effects and mucosal protection. All formulations comply with acceptable quality standards as per API guidelines. The study establishes that Panchabhautika-based interventions adopt a holistic approach by addressing both the root pathology (Agnimandya and vitiated Pitta) and clinical manifestations of Amlapitta. It contributes to the development of standardized quality control parameters and supports the integration of classical Ayurvedic principles with modern analytical methods, thereby strengthening evidence-based Ayurvedic practice.