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Swertia chirata (Gentianaceae), is a popular medicinal plant native to temperate Himalaya. The plant of Swertia chirata is found at an altitude of 1200-1300m, from Bhutan to Kashmir and in the Khasi hills at 1200-1500m. It also can be grown in sub-temperate territories between 1500-2100m altitudes. Chirata has an erect and about 2-3 ft long stem.  Herbal medicinal plants are necessary for about for about 80% of the world population in developed and developing countries for their basic and primary health care required owing to better tolerability, superior empathy with human body and having lesser side effects. Herbal plants are considered as rich source of phytochemical ingredients. The main chemical ingredients are Swertiamarin, Amarogentin, Swechirin, Mangiferin, Sweroside, Gentianine, Amaroswerin, Oleanolic acid, Swertanoone, Ursolic acid. Phytochemical analysis divulges alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, triterpenoids, saponins, xanthones and ascorbic acid in all samples. Nepali S. chirata was found to have finest TLC (thin layer chromatography). People have been using traditional medicinal plants for thousand years ago. Traditional plants play a very important role in preventing and treating of human diseases. Medicinal usage of Swertia chirata is reported in Indian pharmaceutical codex, the American and the British pharmacopoeias and in the different traditional systems of medicine (Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha). Swertia chirata is commonly known as a bitter tonic in traditional system of medicine for the treatment of fever, loss of appetite, digestive disorders, diabetes, skin and various other diseases. Keywords: Swertia chirata, swerchirin, Anti-inflammatory, Oleanolic acid, Traditional medicine.

The aqueous extract of fruits of Tribulus terrestris was tested for its effect on cholesterol induced hyperlipidaemia in rats. The study with aqueous extract at dose of 580 mg/kg body weight showed significant reduction in various biochemical parameters (LDL, VLDL, TC, TG &AI) and increase in HDL level than aqueous extract at dose of 300 mg/kg body weight.

Introduction:Herbals drugs became a boon for mankind since ancient times and still are used worldwide for the treatment of various human ailments. The safety of alternative medicinal preparations has been questioned due to reports of unwanted side effects. To maintain the quality and efficacy of these drugs, it is essential to standardize them in order to avoid the use of substandard or adulterated medicines in the market. Unani system of medicine mainly focuses on the treatment by natural drugs. Habb-e-Banafsha Qawi is useful in a cough, catarrah, and coryza.Materials and Methods:Physiochemical constants of Habb-e-Banafsha Qawi were determined through organoleptic characters, macro- and micro-scopic characters, ash value, solubility, pH values. Chromatographic fingerprints were developed using thin layer chromatography method. Aflatoxin (AF) contamination, heavy metal, and pesticide residues were also evaluated by standard methods.Objectives:In the present study, an attempt has been made to develop standard operating procedure and physiochemical parameters to monitor the quality of a Unani poly-herbal formulation, Habb-e-Banafsha Qawi.Results:The tablets tasted sweetish bitter with a pleasant odor, water soluble and acidic in nature. Rf values were almost same in all the extracts. No AF, heavy metal, and pesticide residues were observed.Conclusions:It may be concluded that the values and chromatographic fingerprints obtained can be used for quality evaluation and to set new pharmacopoeial standards for the preparation of Habb-e-Banafsha Qawi.