ANALYTICAL STANDARDIZATION OF LASHUNA RASAYANA (ALLIUM SATIVUM): HPTLC-BASED PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROFILING

Abstract

Lashuna (Allium sativum Linn.), commonly known as garlic, has been used safely since ancient times as both food and medicine. It is a rich source of diverse phytochemicals and is recognized for a wide spectrum of biological activities. Garlic contains several sulphur-bearing active constituents—principally thiosulfates—which are rapidly absorbed, metabolized, and largely responsible for its pungent aroma as well as many of its pharmacological effects. Traditionally, garlic has been employed for centuries in the management of various disorders, ranging from infectious diseases to metabolic imbalances.In Ayurveda, Lashuna is classified as Rasayana, an important group of drugs reputed to enhance health, vitality, immunity, and longevity. As a Rasayana, it is recommended both for disease prevention and the management of chronic systemic disorders. In contemporary times, garlic remains one of the most widely used natural remedies in the United States and Western Europe, particularly for reducing risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases. Experimental and clinical investigations have validated its therapeutic potential across multiple systems including the cardiovascular, respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, and integumentary systems. Garlic is consumed and prescribed in a wide variety of forms such as tablets, capsules, inhalations, beverages, alcoholic extracts, aqueous macerations, oil preparations, raw or roasted cloves, and cooked fractions.Analytical evaluations of Lashuna Rasayana using methanolic extracts have demonstrated a distinct HPTLC profile, including a prominent band at Rf 0.80 under both short- and long-wave UV. Densitometric scanning revealed a characteristic peak at Rf 0.28 ± 0.04, corresponding to the amino acid alanine, one of the 17 amino acids and 33 sulphur compounds known to be present in garlic. Physicochemical assessments—such as moisture content (2.25%), average capsule weight (578.2 mg), and disintegration time (14 minutes)—were found to be within acceptable limits, supporting the formulation’s quality and stability.Collectively, the classical significance, wide-ranging therapeutic potential, and modern analytical validation emphasize the importance of Lashuna Rasayana as a standardized Ayurvedic Rasayana. The established chromatographic fingerprint and compliant quality-control parameters provide a reproducible reference model for future research, formulation development, and regulatory standardization.