Quality Standards of Athiyadhi Kashayam - A Polyherbal Classical Siddha Formulation with Potent Anti-Diabetic Ingredients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is considered a major disease because it is a silent killer associated with many co-morbidities. The recent days’ changes in habits, lifestyle, food habits, stress, etc., have affected good health of people and hence they are seeking traditional medicines like Siddha which are time tested. Athiyadhi Kashayam (AK) is an important Siddha polyherbal formulation containing 5 barks Atthi (Ficus racemosa), Aavarai (Senna auriculata), Sarakkondrai (Cassia fistula), Naaval (Syzygium cumini) and Kadal azhinjil (Salacia oblonga). The compound formulation AK is a combination of antidiabetic ingredients due to which it is a good medicine for diabetes mellitus and co-morbidities. The current study is the first attempt to standardize the formulation as per pharmacopeial standards and to justify the formulation as a potent antidiabetic herbal drug. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostic, physiochemical and HPTLC studies were carried out as per standard procedures mentioned in Pharmacopoeias. Literature on phytochemistry and pharmacology of each ingredient were compiled to justify the antidiabetic potential of the medicine. Results: Macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, physiochemical analysis and HPTLC was matched with the characters of these ingredients as reported in pharmacopoeias. The earlier reports have revealed the potential phytochemicals in the ingredients revealing its possible benefits for diabetes and related comorbidities. Conclusion: Botanical and chemical standards for quality control of AK have been obtained following standard testing protocol which will give monographic data on identity and quality parameters of this unexplored Siddha medicine. The formula composition from the 5 ingredients with potential antidiabetic properties and managing other comorbidities makes this formula a potent medicine for antidiabetic applications.