Abstract
Among Siddha's internal medicine dosage forms, "Legiyam" stands out as a widely recognized medicinal confectionary. This preparation involves heating decoctions, juices, milk, and sugar to form a syrupy consistency. Drug powders and other ingredients are added, and the mixture is cooled before incorporating ghee and honey. "Vaankumaria legiyam," a classic Siddha polyherbal formulation in confectionary form, contains various herbal ingredients known for addressing numerous health concerns, including digestion, diabetes, and skin issues.Commercially available formulations often lack proper standardization, leading to safety and efficacy concerns. In this context, the present study aims to prepare an in-house Siddha formulation using standard raw materials outlined in the Siddha Pharmacopoeia of India. Comparative phytochemical studies was conducted using modern analytical techniques such as AAS, FTIR, HPTLC, and GCMS. The Vaankumari legiyam formulations were tested for heavy metals and trace elements, revealing concentrations below regulatory limits. High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyzed the phytochemical profile, confirming the product's authenticity. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified and quantified volatile organic compounds, confirming the in-house preparation's reproducibility in capturing aromatic and volatile constituents. These tests confirmed the product's safety for human consumption.The current research has shed light on the potential phytoconstituents responsible for the formulations’ claimed therapeutic effects and facilitates quality assessment. The comprehensive analysis of both marketed and in-house formulations of Vaankumari legiyam through various techniques, including phytochemical, physicochemical, AAS, HPTLC, FTIR, and GCMS, has demonstrated consistent and equal results.