Modification and Physicochemical Evaluation of Naque Nazla a Unani Infusion Preparation for Cold and Flu into Soluble Granules

Background: Infusions and decoctions for Nazla/Zukam (Cold and Flu) are time tested in Unani System of Medicine. Naque Nazla (NN) Infusion containing Viola odorata Linn. flower, Zizyphus jujuba Linn. fruit, Cordia dichotama Forst. fruit, Althea officinalis Linn. Seed, Malva sylvestris Linn. Seed, Borago offlclnalis Linn. leaves, Glycyrhhiza glabra Linn. root is used as an effective remedy for common cold and related symptoms. This formulation need modification for better drug compliance and portability. Attempt was made to make soluble granule in unit sachet, from NN which may retain the advantages of infusions and also address the problems of quality control, preparation, and administration of infusions/decoctions. Materials and Methods: Granules batch was selected on the basis of ease of preparation, Solubility and total solid content by Water-bath method of drying of NN (NNG 1), Granules were also prepared by different initial drying process of NN viz. NNG 2 (Freeze drying) and NNG 3 (Rota evaporator). Batch-NNG 1 was also evaluated for short term preliminary stability study. Physicochemical evaluation of all the batches was carried out with Glycyrrhizin estimation by HPLC and fingerprinting by HPTLC. Results: NN dried with 10% maltodextrin was selected due to ease of powdering as a Non-Native Extract (NNE). Three different procedures of drying in NNG1, NNG 2 and NNG 3 batches do not reveal much difference when evaluated, except dry yield of NNE in NNG 2 was more in comparison to NNG 1 and NNG 3 batches. Granules batch with NNE powder (with 10% maltodextrin) 63%, fine powder of NN ingredient (filler) 10%, liquorice powder (sweetening agent) 5%, Starch soluble 20%, SSG 2%, Satte Pudina 0.25%, and Aerosil-200 5% of all the ingredient was selected. Physicochemical parameters of NN and formulated Granules such as organoleptic properties, pH value, total LOD at 105°C, Ash & extractive values, test for mucilage, microbial contamination, HPLC (Glycyrrhizin estimation), HPTLC data etc., was set in. Short term (3 month) stability study of NNG1 predicted 1 year stability at room temperature in sachet packed condition. Conclusion: NNG1 method can be a more feasible and economical method. It displayed higher Glycyrrhizin content. Successful formulation of soluble granules was achieved.