Pharmacopoeial Compliance of Marketed Formulations containing seeds of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels

The seeds of Syzygium cumini are extensively used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) systems of medicine to treat diabetes, polyuria, diarrhoea and vomiting. As per classical literatures and Ayurvedic Formularies, the seed kernel is to be used in the formulations. In practice, the food and herbal drug manufacturers are incorporating the whole seed along with testa instead of seed kernel, as such sold in raw drug market. This may leads to reduction in potency of drug in formulations.

The study was carried out to confirm the Pharmacopoeial compliance for seeds of S. cumini in marketed formulations.

Macro-microscopic studies were carried out by following standard methods of official books.

Macroscopically the whole seed and seed kernel can be differentiated by colour, appearance, size and shape. Microscopically the seed kernel can be differentiated from whole seed by absence of sclereids and fibres.

The findings will be helpful to analyse the Pharmacopoeial compliance of marketed formulations containing seeds of S. cumini and to differentiate the seed kernel from testa. The studied marketed formulations of S. cumini seeds in powdered form were found to be noncompliance with Pharmacopoeial standards, since whole seed powder along with testa was found instead of seed kernel as recommended.