Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina) is one of the most popular Vedic medicinal herbs used from 1000 BC to till date for reducing high blood pressure related ailments. It’s a long journey of Sarpagandha from British India to the Western communities. Last 75 years intensive knowledge on Sarpagandha confirmed reserpine, an indole alkaloid is the most responsible component for its bioactivities. Reserpine also reported for severe adverse reactions, if not properly used. After that, several attempts were made to identify reserpine in formulations. In this context, a simplified valid method with precision instrument was developed for identification, quantification and standardization of herbal formulation containing Sarpagandha as an ingredient. Following Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia’s guidelines and advanced technological concepts three forms of Ayurvedic composition, namely Sarpagandha Churna (powder), Sarpagandha Ghana Vati (tablet) and Sarpagandha Mishran (tab) was studied. The present study, describes the easy procedure to determine reserpine content preciously in single herb or formulation. This study will be helpful not only for pharmaceuticals for standardization of formulation containing Sarpagandha as an ingredient and reserpine as bioactive constituents, but also be helpful for Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the dosage regimen for personalized medicine.
