A pharmaceutical standardization of Shunthi (Zingiber officinale): A Research Article

Ajay Kumar Singh; Sanjiv Kumar; Sampurna Nand Tiwari

doi:10.21760/jaims.8.12.11

A pharmaceutical standardization of Shunthi (Zingiber officinale): A Research Article

Singh AK^1*, Kumar S², Tiwari SN³

DOI:10.21760/jaims.8.12.11

^1* Ajay Kumar Singh, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Dravyaguna, Govt Ayurvedic College Patna Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Bihar, India.

² Sanjiv Kumar, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Ayurved Samhita and Siddhant, Govt Ayurvedic College Patna Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Bihar, India.

³ Sampurna Nand Tiwari, Principal Professor, Govt Ayurvedic College Patna Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Bihar, India.

Introduction: Shunthi (Zingiber officinale) is a dried form of Adaraka. Adaraka means Aadryati Jihva i.e., which keeps the Jihva moistened by increasing salivation in mouth whereas Shunthi dries up the water content of Kapha and checks its flow. Its rich history of use for centuries, is owing to its composite therapeutic properties. Aims and Objectives: The present study is aimed to standardization of Shunthi. Materials and Methods: Preparation of Shunthi Churna from its Kanda (Rhizome). This article focuses on the pharmaceutical preparation and standardization of Shunthi to ensure consistent quality and potency in herbal formulations. Standardization involves the quantification of key bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, steroids, tannins and starch, which contribute to its therapeutic effects. For the identification, purity and strength these must be fulfilled - analytical parameters like loss on drying at 110°C, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive, water soluble extractive and moisture content in drug. Conclusion: Shunthi Churna is used for Grahani, Pandu, Shwasa Roga, Arsha, Amvata, Rajyakshma, Shula, Anaha etc. The rare side effects are increased bleeding tendency, rash, itching sensation and swelling of tongue, lips and throat. Drug interaction: Shunthi can interact with anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen, Aspirin etc. and other drugs that affect bleeding tendency.[1] Contraindication: In Summer and autumn seasons, contraindications with Pittaja Vyadhi.[2] Hence the present work may be used for the quality assessment and standardization of Shunthi (Zingiber officinale).

Keywords: Shunthi, Standardization, Analytical Study, Microscopic Study

Corresponding Author	How to Cite this Article	To Browse
Ajay Kumar Singh, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Dravyaguna, Govt Ayurvedic College Patna Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Bihar, India. Email:	Singh AK, Kumar S, Tiwari SN, A pharmaceutical standardization of Shunthi (Zingiber officinale): A Research Article. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(12):82-86. Available From https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2844

Introduction

Ginger is scientifically known as Zingiber officinale. The word Zingiber is derived from a Sanskrit word denoting "horn-shaped," in reference to the protrusions on the rhizome. It is an aromatic herb with reduced stem and creeping rhizome. Rhizome is horizontal, buff coloured, laterally flat with many sympodial branches, aromatic and pungent. Historically, Shunthi has been used both as a food and a medicine since ancient times. Shunthi also called as Mahaushadha, bears the necessary ingredients for efficacious action. Shunthi has been used to treat a wide range of ailments including dyspepsia, diarrhoea, nausea, asthma, respiratory disorders, toothache, gingivitis and arthritis.

Aim and Objectives

The present study is aimed to standardization of Shunthi.

Materials and Methods

Preparation of Shunthi Churna from its Kanda (Rhizome).

Preparation of Shunthi Churna

At first, we soak the fully matured ginger rhizome in water and leave it overnight. After that kept it in sunlight for drying for 10 days. Again, we soaked the dried rhizome with slaked lime for 6 hours followed by sun drying. The process is repeated until the rhizome becomes uniformly white and moisture content comes at the level of 8-10%.

Synonyms^[3]

Shunthi is also known as Avakchhatra, Ahichhatraka, Katugranthi, Katubhadra, Utkata, Shringavera, Ushana, Mahaushadha, Vishvabheshaja, Vishva, Adaraka, Adi etc.

Pharmacodynamics (Properties)^[4]

Rasapanchaka	Adraka (wet form)	Shunthi (dried form)
Rasa	Katu	Katu
Guna	Guru, Ruksha, Tikshna	Laghu, Snigdha
Virya	Ushna	Ushna
Vipaka	Katu	Madhura
Doshakarma	Kaphavatashamak Pittavardhak	Kaphavatashamak Pittashamak

Chemical constituents^[5]

The Phenolic compounds in Shunthi are mainly Gingerols, Shogaols and Paradols. In Ardraka

, Gingerols are the major Polyphenols, such as 6-Gingerol, 8-Gingerol and 10- Gingerol. Zingiberens, Zingiberol, Zingerone, Curcumene, Ginger glycolipids are found in it.

Macroscopic Observation

Rhizome, laterally compressed, bearing short, flattish, ovate, oblique, branches on upper side each having at its apex a depressed scar, pieces about 5-15 cm long, 1.5-6.5 cm wide (usually 3-4 cm) and 1-1.5 cm thick, externally buff colored, showing longitudinal striations and occasional loose fibers, fracture short, smooth, transverse surface exhibiting narrow cortex (about one-third of radius), a well-marked endodermis and a wide stele showing numerous scattered fibro-vascular bundles and yellow secreting cells, odour agreeable and aromatic, taste, agreeable and pungent.

Microscopic Observation

Transverse section of rhizome shows cortex of isodiametric thin-walled parenchyma with scattered vascular strands and numerous isodiametric idioblasts, about 40-80 µ in diameter, containing a yellowish to reddish-brown oleo-resin, endodermis slightly thick walled, free from starch, immediately inside endodermis a row of nearly continuous collateral bundles usually without fibers, stele of thin-walled parenchyma cells, arranged radially around numerous scattered, collateral vascular bundles, each consisting of a few unlignified, reticulate or spiral vessels up to about 70 µ in diameter, a group of phloem cells, unlignified, thin-walled, septate fibers up to about 30 µ wide and 600 µ long with small oblique slit like pits present, numerous scattered idioblasts, similar those of cortex, and associated with vascular bundles, also present, idioblasts about 8-20 µ wide and up to 130 µ long with dark reddish-brown contents: in single or in axial rows, adjacent to vessels, present, parenchyma of cortex and stele packed with flattened, rectangular, ovate, starch grains, mostly 5-15 µ - 30-60 µ long about 25 µ wide and 7 µ thick, marked by five transverse striations.

Standardization of Shunthi - Zingiber officinale.^[6]

Physicochemical parameters

SN	Test parameters	Result (in % w/w)
1.	Loss on drying	9.02
2.	Ash value	4.32
3.	Acid insoluble ash	0.77
4.	Water soluble extract	10.85
5.	Alcohol soluble extract	4.9
6.	pH (10% Aq. Solution)	4.6

Phytochemical parameters

SN	Phytochemical compounds	Result
1.	Alkaloids	+
2.	Carbohydrates	+
3.	Flavonoids	+
4.	Saponins	+
5.	Steroids	+
6.	Tannins	+
7.	Starch	+
8.	Acid Test	-

High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) Profile

[Shunthi (Zingiber officinale) (Rhizome)]

Sample preparation

1gm. of the sample was subjected to reflux with Methanol, for 1 hour and extract was filtered using Whatmann-1, filter paper. The filtrate was concentrated and taken for the following HPTLC profile.

Chromatography experimental

Stationary Phase:

Precoated (support on Aluminum Sheets) Silica Gel Plate. Specification: TLC Silica Gel 60F254, Mfg. by Merck.

Mobile Phase:

Hexane: Ethyl acetate: Methanol (7:3:1, v/v) [G R grade solvent used]

Sample application:

Variable volumes applied as 4 µL and 5 µL in track 1 and track 2 respectively, as 8 mm band and at 15 mm from the base of the plate.

Development:

Developed up to 80 mm in CAMAG Twin trough chamber, Plate preconditioning (temp 25°C and relative average humidity was 42%)

Visualisation:

Images of the developed plate were captured under 254 nm, 366 nm UV light and at white light after derivatisation.

Derivatisation:

Developed plate was dipped in 20% aq. sulphuric acid and charred at 105°C and visualized at white light.

Photography of HPTLC Plate

254 nm 366 nm White light after derivatisation

HPTLC fingerprint at 254 nm

Track 1 Track 2

R_f Values

Track 1 Track 2

a. Organoleptic study of Powder:

Colour: Creamish brown

Texture: Fine and smooth

Odour: Not Characteristic

Taste: Bitter

b. Powder microscopy: Powder shows presence of numerous round to oval shaped simple and compound starch grains, reticulate vessels, long septate fibers, parenchymatous cells with starch grains, Oleo resin masses and prismatic crystals.

Fig. 1: Macroscopy of Shunthi powder

Powder microscopy of Shunthi

A.,B.,C. Simple and compound starch grains; D. Reticulate vessel; E. Septate fiber; F.,G. Parenchymatous cells with starch grains; H. Oleo resin; I. Prismatic crystals

Part Used: Kanda (Rhizome)

Dose: 1-2 gm.

Conclusion

The physicochemical parameters of the samples were analyzed. It was found that some of the parameters were like loss of drying 9.02 % w/w, water soluble ext 10.85 % w/w, alcohol soluble ext 4.9 %w/w, PH 4.6 % w/w, Ash value 4.32 % w/w Whereas in Phytochemical parameters alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, Tannins, Starch present in Shunthi Churna. In Powder microscopic investigation, Powder shows presence of numerous rounds to oval shaped simple and compound starch grains, reticulate vessels, long septate fibers, parenchymatous cells with starch grains, Oleo resin masses and prismatic crystals. On the basis of these parameters, bioavailability of the

drug will be increased and thus quick action is expected. It is the drug of choice in treatment of Grahani, Pandu, Shwasa Roga, Arsha, all types of Jvara, Amvata, Rajyakshma, Shula, Hridroga, Anaha etc. The rare side effects are increased bleeding tendency, rash, itching sensation and swelling of tongue, lips and throat. Drug interaction: Shunthi can interact with anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, warfarin, heparin and other drugs that affect bleeding tendency. Contraindications: In Summer and autumn seasons, diseases like Pandu, Raktapitta, Mutrakrichha, Vrana, Jvara and Daha, Pregnancy, Lactation, Abdominal bleeding.

Acknowledgement:

We thank the almighty God for his blessings. We also extend our gratitude to all the faculties of Department of Dravyaguna, also thanks to Nagarjuna Laboratory, Government Ayurvedic College, Patna, Bihar and Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development, Kolkata, CCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

References

1. Gupta SK, Thakur AB, Dudhamal TS, Nema A. Management of Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis) with diet and Virechanakarma. Ayu. 2015 Oct-Dec;36(4):413-415.

2. Sharma M, Sahu S, Adaraka. Gallery of medicinal plants (Dravyaguna vigyan). Thieme; 2020. p. 45-52.

3. Sharma PV. Shunthi. Dravyaguna vigyan. 2nd ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharti Academy; 2012. p. 331-335.

4. Sharma PC, Yelne MB, Dennis TJ. Shunthi. Database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda. Volume 5. CCRAS; 2002. p. 315-322.

5. Sharma PC, Yelne MB, Dennis TJ. Guduchi Tinospora cordifolia (wild.) Miers ex HK. F & Th. Database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda. Volume 5. CCRAS; 2002. p. 315-322.

6. Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development, Kolkata, CCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.

Manuscript Received	Review Round 1	Review Round 2	Review Round 3	Accepted
2023-10-13	2023-10-23	2023-11-03	2023-11-13	2023-11-25
Conflict of Interest	Funding	Ethical Approval	Plagiarism X-checker	Note
None declared	Nil	Yes	21.96	All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

Research Article

Zingiber officinale

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

A pharmaceutical standardization of Shunthi (Zingiber officinale): A Research Article

Singh AK1*, Kumar S2, Tiwari SN3

Introduction

Aim and Objectives

Materials and Methods

Conclusion

Acknowledgement:

References

Singh AK^1*, Kumar S², Tiwari SN³