FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEMIDESMUS INDICUS (L.) ELIXIR FOR THE TREATMENT OF RENAL CALCULI

Abstract

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) or Sarsaparilla belongs to the family Apocynaceae is widely used in 
traditional medicine for the various biological activities attributed to its different parts, especially 
the roots.[5] Sarsaparilla is rich in a wealth of plant components having beneficial effects on the 
human body. Sarsaparilla is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic acids and considered 
safe for most of the people.[2] It is used to treat kidney stones or renal calculi, Poly Cystic Ovarian 
Syndrome, urinary tract infections, ulcerations, asthma etc. Renal calculi have multiphase 
etiological factors with high recurrence rate which affects around 12% of world population. To 
reduce the recurrence rate , homoeopathic interventions can be the most effective alternative option 
and for that one of the frequently prescribed medicines is Sarsaparilla used by homoeopaths in 
renal stones.[4] Elixirs are clear, pleasantly flavored, sweetened hydro-alcoholic liquids intended 
for oral use and they are better than the aqueous syrups to maintain both water soluble and alcohol 
soluble components in the solutions because of their hydroalcoholic character.[6] In this present 
work an elixir dosage form of Sarsaparilla alcoholic extract was formulated as this drug is 
commonly prescribed by Homeopathic physicians for treating renal calculi. Formulations were
followed by some evaluation studies e.g. stability studies, pH determinations, optical density
determination, viscosity determination, surface tension determination and TLC were also carried 
out for confirmation of flavonoids in the prepared formulations.