Nanocarriers

Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations are increasingly explored internationally as a budding field of therapeutic potential based on thousands of years of traditional medicinal practice. However, the absence of standardization protocol and stringent quality control measures is a significant barrier, and the adoption of their safe and effective use in western healthcare is a challenge. The goal of this review is to evaluate the standardization and quality control measures related to Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations. The review discusses the complexity of multi-component herbal mixtures, variability of raw material and absence of marker compounds and synergistic effects which make reproducibility more difficult. The review emphasizes the use of modern techniques including High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, and microbiological analyses, all increasingly common approaches to assess the variance in products. While there have been advances in the use of HPTLC and LC-MS for standardization and quality control, many regulatory frameworks do not exist, and harmonized quality standards are absent. The review indicates a need for the traditional Ayurvedic approach and modern science to work collaboratively to develop standardized strategies. A successful collaborative effort would lead to increased global/consumer recognition, acceptance and contribution to enhanced public safety regarding the quality and efficacy of these established therapeutic preparations.

Diabetes and hyperlipidemia are among the biggest worldwide health issues and are the causative factors behind many chronic ailments and complications. Polyherbal formulations from traditional medicine hold much promise as an alternative or complement to orthodox medication. This investigation sought to compare the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties of a polyherbal drug in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, in addition to checking for any possible herb-drug interactions with metformin. Results indicated that the polyherbal drug lowered blood glucose levels remarkably, enhanced lipid profiles, and showed no adverse interactions with antidiabetic medication metformin. The findings indicate the therapeutic potential of the polyherbal drug in controlling diabetes and hyperlipidemia with a good safety profile. Additional clinical trials are suggested to validate these effects in human subjects and investigate the mechanisms of action of the herbs in the formulation.