AYURVEDIC DOSAGE FORMS AND

THEIR RATIONALITY

By

Dr MS Krishnamurthy Ph.D (Ayu)Associate Professor & Head,

P.G Department of Bhaishajya Kalpana,

Alva’s Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri, Karnataka +91 9448984445

Dosage Form – Physico-chemical properties of the compound that could affect the drug performance which leads to development of an efficacious medicine .

Kalpana – Ability of the drug to obtain the desired result by penetration to the target cells through the inherited potency / inculcated physico-chemical properties.

Dosage forms vis-à-vis Kalpana

Availability of the raw drug Known properties of the compound /

ingredients Specific therapeutic area Potency related to competitive products Molecule’s weakness to synthesize the

compound( through Samskara)

Parameters for Drug Design

Probable decay mechanism (shelf life ) Condition that promote drug decomposition

(stabilization technique) Compatibility (synergism & antagonism) Dissolution/media Biological properties(Personal/Mass) Mass acceptance

Parameters for Drug Design Contd…

Nature of Expected Drug Action

Quick action

Prolonged action

Sustained effect (controlled)

Stable effect

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Do We Need Multiple Drug dosage forms?

Fundamental Formulations

Potential gradation (assimilation ability)

Fibrous content

Molecular Weakness / Alkaloid Concentration

Reactive Ability

Sustained Action

Swarasa 5 4 4 2 3

Kalka 4 5 1 5 5

Kwatha 3 3 5 1 4

Hima 2 2 3 3 2

Phanta 1 1 2 4 1

Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana & Pharmaceutical Significance

Reduction of water

% of Reduction

Desired Action Body Unit Involved

1/1 0 Tarpana (Nutritive) Rasa

1/2 50 Pachana (Digestive) Ama

1/4 25 Kledana (Moisturizing) Kapha

1/8 12.5 Shamana (Pacification) Saptadhatu

1/10 10 Deepana (Carminative) Agni

1/12 8.33 Chedana (Scraping / Cutting)

Mamsa, Meda

1/16 6.25 Shoshana (Emaciating) Saptadhatu

Harita’s Concept of Kashaya Kalpana

Dosage Form

Qualities Nature Action

Swarasa

Cold, Heavy

Quick Penetration in Permeable membranes, Stimulation of free Contents of Hollow organs, Mechanical Action

Less carminative, Less digestive, Gradual penetration (Acute condition)

Kalka Moderately Cold & Heavy

Moderate Digestive & Carminative

Gradual but sustained penetration (Chronic diseases and Deep sited Doshas)

Kashaya Kalpanas & Significance

Dosage Form

Qualities Nature Action

Kwatha Warm, Subtle, Severe (Penetrative)

Carminative & Digestive

Quick & deep penetration, moderate stability , Less retention in the body(Recent diseases)

Kashaya Kalpanas & Significance

Hima Cool, Mild Coolant, Mild nature, Less irritant

Less stable, Mild action (Chronic illness)

Phanta Mild, Slightly warm

Digestive, Carminative

Mild action with lesser stability (Chronic diseases)

Dosage Form

Source Action Pontentials

Action on Dosha, Dhatu & Mala

Utility

Choorna Kalka Drying, Moderately Penetrating, Quick acting

Madhyama dosha-dhatu-mala

Pacifier, Irritant

Vati,Ghana Kashaya/Kalka

Penetrative, Quick acting Minuteness

Madhyama-Prabhoota dosha-dhatu-mala

Long lasting effect, Mild irritant

Secondary Formulations

Satva Kalka/ Swarasa

Quick acting,Deep penetrative

Alpa dosha-dhatu

Mild action, Quick effect,Long standing, Soothening

Kshara & Lavana

Kalka Purifier, Healing, Moisturising, Penetrative

Chirakari-Antarashrita doshas

Quick action for short duration,Prolonged administration with risk, Used in emergency

Dosage Form

Source Action Pontentials

Action on Dosha, Dhatu & Mala

Utility

Masi Kalka Drying, Healing Utthana dosha nirharana

Stimulant/Irritant

Ghrita Swarasa-Kashaya

Nourishing, Soothening,Promotes the expulsion by moisturising, Rejuvinator, Neuro sedation

Vatapittahara Long persisting illness with deep sited doshas,Soothening, Nourishing

Secondary Formulations

Taila Swarasa-Kashaya

Oleation,Healing,Liquification,Lubrication, Neuro stimulant

Vatakaphahara

Long persisting illness with deep sited doshas

Avartita Swarasa-Kashaya

Nourishing, Deep and mild penetrating, Rejuvinative, Regenerative

Tridoshahara, Balakara,

Long persisting illness with deep sited doshas,Soothening, Long standing effect

Malahara Kalka Purifying(ext) Healing

Pooya-srava-durgandhahara

Soothening,effective in chronic wounds

Dosage Form Source Action Pontentials

Action on Dosha, Dhatu & Mala

Utility

Mantha & Pramathya

Phanta-Swarasa/ Sheeta

Nutritive, Mild acting

Dhatu vardhaka

Emaciating and chronic disorders

Asava Swarasa Deep penetrating,Quick action, Tonic, Carminative, Mild digestive (Comparative)

AgnivardhakaBalakaraka

In chronic disorders caused debility, To prevent remanifestation

Secondary Formulations

Arishta Kashaya Deep penetrating Quick action,Carminative, Digestive

Madhyama and Gambheera doshas,Doshas in scattered condition

Quick acting, Curative of chronic and deep sitedrecurrent disorders

Leha Swarasa/Kwatha

Rejuvinative,Preventive,Carminative,Nutritive(Moderate to severe penetration)

Dhatubalakaraka

Nutritive, Rejuvinative, (Curative and preventive)

Concentrated Kashayas Kashaya TabletsHard Gelatin & Soft Gelatin Capsules

Syrups

Less-known Way to Define..

Choorna >>>> Capsule, Tablets Kashayas >>>> Concentrated

Kashayas, Tablets, Syrups, Arishtas

Taila & Ghrita >>>> Soft Gel Capsules Leha >>>> Chocolates, Syrup Tablets >>>> Coated & Hard gel

capsules Malahara >>>> Gels, Liniments

Modified Dosage Forms – Do They Serve Always?

Study of the drug as Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpana

Study of Solubility patternEfficacy studies in different dosage

formsDecision of New Drug Dosage Form

Dosage Form Decision, In New Herbal Drug

Irrational utilityDifficulty in dose fixationHealth hazards/Side effectsEconomical burdenConfusion regarding efficacyLoss and mistreatment of action potentials Improper inference regarding drug action

Irrational Dosage Forms – End Results

Ayurvedic dosage forms are the results of rational application of Ayurvedic principles

These dosage forms have scientific inputs in their application

Judicial modification of the dosage forms do have advantages

Aping of the dosage forms may lead into wrong conclusions/inferences So…let us use the Dosage forms in most judicial way

To conclude …..

Thank You

Dr M S Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu) PhD

Alvas Ayurveda Medical College,Moodbidri,Karnataka

Mob-+91 9448984445

My blog:ayurblog.com