Formulation and Pharmaceutical Evaluation of Polyherbal Granules Containing Tinospora cordifolia, Leucas aspera, and Curcuma longa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5530/ajphs.2026.16.99Keywords:
Herbal granules, Wet granulation, Flow properties, Thyroidectomy, Organoleptic evaluationAbstract
Background: Impaired immune function increases susceptibility to infections and chronic diseases. Medicinal plants with immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties offer a natural approach to restoring immune balance, as emphasized in the Ayurvedic concept of Rasayana. Tinospora cordifolia, Leucas aspera and Curcuma longa are well known for their immune-supportive and antioxidant activities. The aim of this study is to formulate and evaluate the pharmaceutical properties of herbal granules containing Tinospora cordifolia, Leucas aspera and Curcuma longa as a convenient oral dosage form. Methods: Ethanolic extracts of the selected plants were used to prepare granules by the wet granulation technique using pharmaceutical excipients. The prepared granules were evaluated for organoleptic characteristics and pharmaceutical parameters. Results: The formulated granules exhibited a slight yellowish-green colour, characteristic odour, astringent-sweet taste, spherical shape and a particle size range of 355–710 μm. The angle of repose was 27.21° ± 0.02, bulk density 0.60 ± 0.01 g/cm³, tapped density 0.66 ± 0.01 g/cm³, Carr’s index 9.09 ± 0.03 % and Hausner’s ratio 1.10, indicating excellent flow properties. Disintegration occurred within 15 ± 1 seconds. Conclusion: The developed herbal granules offer acceptable organoleptic and pharmaceutical characteristics suitable for oral administration. The formulation provides a stable and patient-friendly dosage form for delivering the selected herbal extracts. Further studies, including extract standardization, in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory evaluation and stability testing, are required to establish biological efficacy and long-term quality.
References
Chaudhary, A., Das, R., Mehta, K., & Mehta, D. K. (2024). Indian herb Tinospora cordifolia and Tinospora species: Phytochemical and therapeutic application. Heliyon, 10(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31229
Chaudhry, B. (2021). Key rasayana plants of Ayurveda. Environment & We an International Journal of Science & Technology, 16, 53-73. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357284207
Jantan, I., Rohani, A. S., & Sumantri, I. B. (2021). Immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of curcuma species and their bioactive compounds: A review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 643119. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.643119
Khandelwal, P., & Shah, P. (2016). Formulation and evaluation of oral herbal granules for asthma. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 7(10), 382-389.
Kripa, K. G., Chamundeeswari, D., Thanka, J., & Reddy, C. U. M. (2011). Modulation of inflammatory markers by the ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera in adjuvant arthritis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 134(3), 1024-1027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.01.010
Lee, F., & Lawrence, D. A. (2018). From infections to anthropogenic inflicted pathologies: Involvement of immune balance. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 21(1), 24-46. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2017.1412212
Münzel, T., & Daiber, A. (2018). Environmental stressors and their impact on health and disease with focus on oxidative stress. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 28(9), 735-740. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2017.7488
Pahade, A., Bajaj, P., Reche, A., & Shirbhate, U. (2023). Immunomodulators and their applications in dentistry and periodontics: A comprehensive review. Cureus, 15(10). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.46653
Parajuli-Baral, K. (2023). Formulation and Evaluation of Quality Parameters of Effervescent Granules from the Potent Antioxidant between Two Variants of the Adaptogenic Herb Ocimum tenuiflorum L. 2023(1), 2050846. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/2050846
Patel, C., Shahgond, L., Ahir, P., & Acharya, S. (2020). Development and evaluation of antiobesity polyherbal granules: a full spectrum weight management concept. Obesity Medicine, 20, 100299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2020.100299
Sharma, U., Bala, M., Kumar, N., Singh, B., Munshi, R. K., & Bhalerao, S. (2012). Immunomodulatory active compounds from Tinospora cordifolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 141(3), 918-926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.03.027
Singh, R., Goel, S., Bourgeade, P., Aleya, L., & Tewari, D. (2021). Ayurveda Rasayana as antivirals and immunomodulators: potential applications in COVID-19. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(40), 55925-55951. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16280-5
Swaroop, A. K., Lalitha, C. M. V. N., Shanmugam, M., Subramanian, G., Natarajan, J., & Selvaraj, J. (2021). Plant derived immunomodulators; a critical review. Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 12(4), 712. http://doi.org/10.34172/apb.2022.074
Varsakiya, J., Kathad, D., & Shingadiya, R. (2018). Rasayana-rejuvenation: unique therapy of Ayurveda for long living. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 7(11), 492-503.
Zhang, Y., Cheng, B. C. Y., Zhou, W., Xu, B., Gao, X., Qiao, Y., & Luo, G. (2019). Improved understanding of the high shear wet granulation process under the paradigm of quality by design using Salvia miltiorrhiza granules. Pharmaceutics, 11(10), 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11100519
