Ksharagada: An Ayurvedic Formulation with Emphasis on Antioxidant Potential and Mechanistic Insights – A Narrative Review
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Dept. of Agad Tantra, MGACH&RC, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU), Wardha, Maharashtra
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Professor Dept. of Agad Tantra, MGACH&RC, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research (DU), Wardha, Maharashtra.
Received: 2025-01-07
Revised: 2025-01-02
Accepted: 2025-02-14
Published: 2025-02-20
Background: Ksharagada is the formulation explained by brihatrayi’s like in Charaka Samhita and the Susruta Samhita for the treatment of various conditions related to visha. Classically it is indicated in Shotha, pandu, twakaroga gulma etc. This formulation is explained under agada tantra i.e toxicology which may help to get rid of toxins and supporting body to normalize agni by amapachana and bringing vitiated dosha’s to normalcy. Most of the drugs in ksharagada are having Katu and Tikta Rasa, Ushna Veerya, and Laghu Ruksha Gunatmaka. Antioxidant potential is defined as the ability to neutralize oxygen free radicals that are generated in excess due to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress happens in body due to imbalance of antioxidant defences and the production of reactive oxygen species which can causes a lot of diseases by altering lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death. Chemical constituents of Ksharagada ingredients are polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, curcumin, berberine, piperine, gingerols, glycyrrhizic acid, and sesquiterpenes etc act as Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antimicrobial, Immunomodulatory. By the virtue of these actions the preparation may help to reduce inflammatory cascade by directly scavenging free radicals, reducing lipid peroxidation, and activating cellular defence pathways, hence reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. The present paper is as attempt to understand antioxidant action of Ksharagada with special reference with its chemical constituents.
Ksharagada, Phytochemical studies, Antioxidant.