Physico‑chemical standardization of Habbe Shifa: A polyherbal Unani formulation with modern techniques

Abstract

Background: Habbe Shifa (HS) is an important pharmacopoeial Unani formulation, which is used in the treatment of Humma (fever), Iya (fatigue), Tashannuje rewi (pulmonary spasm) and Zeequn Nafas (asthma) and opium deaddiction. Aim: The physico‑chemical standards of HS were established in the present study. Materials and Methods: HS was prepared with ingredients of particle size 150 µm (100 mesh sieve), 5% w/w Gum Acacia mucilage was used as binder, dried at a temperature 90°C for 120 min and finally evaluated for different physico‑chemical parameters to develop standards for HS. Results and Conclusion: Physico‑chemical standards of HS were observed as characteristic brown colour, spherical shape, hard in texture, odourless and bitter in taste; average weight 242.95 ± 1.53 mg; diameter 7.33 ± 0.16 mm; hardness 3.5 ± 0.00 kg/cm; friability 0.02 ± 0.003%; pH value in 1% and 10% aqueous
solution 6.22 ± 0.06 and 5.39 ± 0.008 respectively; percentage loss of weight on drying at 105°C 6.63 ± 0.12%; total ash, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash 5.33 ± 0.16, 0.95 ± 0.05 and 1 ± 0.00% respectively and total alkaloid 0.65 ± 0.01% and Rf values in the thin layer chromatography in ethanolic extract in hexane: Acetone (7.6:2.4) solvent system were 0.25, 0.78 and in hexane: Diethyl ether (4:6) solvent system were 0.58, 0.89. The results obtained for the various physico‑chemical tests of lab sample of HS may be taken as standard parameter for future reference and help in setting up regulatory limit to assure the quality of Unani medicine.
Key words: Habbe Shifa, physico‑chemical, standardization