Comparative shelf-life study of Raw Guggulu (Commiphora wightii oleo-gum resin) and Shodhita Guggulu (cow urine processed C. wightii oleo-gum resin)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Shelf-life is an important aspect of raw as well as finished drugs. Recently, shelf-life parameters have been included in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India. The objective of this article is to evaluate and compare the long-term shelf-life study of Raw Guggulu (RG) (C. wightii oleo-gum resin) and Shodhita Guggulu (SG) (cow urine processed C. wightii oleo-gum resin). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stability chamber with environmental conditions 30°C ± 2°C/60% ± 5% RH was used for long-term shelf-life study of RG and SG. Physico-chemical parameters such as loss on drying, pH, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water extractive value, and alcohol extractive value were tested at regular frequency (0th, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th month). RESULTS: Significant changes have been observed w.r.t. analysis of physico-chemical parameters. Physico-chemical parameters revealed that the shelf-life of RG ranged from 42 to 66 months and shelf-life of SG ranged from 39 to 62 months. CONCLUSION: The average shelf-life of RG and SG was found out to be 55.16 and 48.16 months, respectively. These studies may help to understand the shelf-life of various ayurvedic formulations of RG and SG.