PREFORMULATION STUDIES FOR AYURVEDA DRUGS: A REVIEW

Abstract

The vast treasures of drugs included in Ayurveda are obtained from various sources including plants, metals, minerals and animal products. These may 
further be classified into single drug and multi drug formulation compositions. Advancements in pharmaceutical industry have led to emergence of new 
class of drugs known as phytopharmaceuticals, where a single molecule or the principle metabolite of a botanical is extracted and used as a single drug. 
However, this concept does not collate with the treatment principles mentioned in Ayurveda texts. The industry should develop new compositions 
keeping the basic principles of Bhaishajya Kalpana (Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics) and chikitsa (therapeutics) in foresight. It is where the preformulation 
plays a major role in developing rational, safe and efficacious Ayurveda drugs. The conventional techniques of preformulation R&D may not be effective 
for Ayurveda drugs and there is a need to modify its structure in order to formulate new drugs. A lot is known about the properties of single drugs as 
well as multi ingredient formulations from the ancient texts and this knowledge can be effectively utilized by the industry during the preformulation 
R&D. Studies on solubility, dispersibility, hygroscopic nature, bulk forming, interaction of ingredients and binding properties must be conducted. The 
combinations of Ayurveda drugs should be studied and modified pharmaceutically to generate an effective single pill. The paper deliberates on this 
issue so that a technology friendly and scientifically advanced research and development of new Ayurveda products may be undertaken and exploited 
commercially for the benefit of ailing mankind.