Phytochemical Analysis of Different Extracts of Nagaradi panchakaya

Nagaradipanchakaya is a very familiar decoction prescribed for respiratory tract diseases available in the Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia. It contains five herbal ingredients; i.e. Zingiber officinale, Cedrus deodara, Coriandrum sativum, Solanum indica and Solanum xanthocarpum.

Aims: The study was conducted to analyze the phytochemicals present in sequential extracts of Nagaradipanchakaya using hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol solvents in succession.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the unit of Dravyaguna Vignana, Department of Ayurveda, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka, between October to December 2019.

Methodology: Authentication of the ingredients of Nagaradipanchakaya was done by the experts in the Unit of Ayurveda Pharmacology in the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo. The extracts of dried powder of the ingredients obtained using Hexane, Ethyl acetate and Ethanol in succession were tested along with blank (water) for the presence of phytochemicals. Chemical analysis carried out for (a) qualitative analysis of phytochemical constituents (b) quantitative analysis of alkaloids, total phenol, flavonoid and Saponin contents.

Results: The results suggested that the presence of Alkaloids, Tannin and Phenolic compounds, Terpenoids & steroids, Flavonoids, Cardiac Glycosides, Saponins, Carbohydrates, Amino acids, Anthraquinone glycosides, Resins having selective solubility in selected solvents of varying polarities used in succession. The selective solubility of the phytochemicals is probably responsible in conferring a wide spectrum of biological activities attributed to the decoction of Nagaradi Panchakaya. In addition, the present study suggests that the sequential extractions using solvents of varying polarities would maximize the exploitation of the diverse bioactive compounds. Further considerable amount of Alkaloids (3.52 ± 0.15%), phenolic compounds (47.03±0.56 mg gallic acid equivalents), flavonoids (15.83±0.16 mg quercetin equivalents/g and Saponin (4.1±0.4%) were present in this poly-herbal formula.

Conclusion: The present study revealed the presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannin, phenolic compounds, terpenoids & steroids flavonoids, tannins and saponins in this Nagaradipanchakaya.