Formulation and evaluation of polyherbal cardiotonic syrup containing emblica officinalis (amla), terminalia arjuna, withania somnifera, boerhavia diffusa and allium sativum

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and there is growing interest in herbal formulations as complementary cardioprotective agents. The present work describes the formulation and quality-control evaluation protocol of a polyherbal cardiotonic syrup in which Emblica officinalis (Amla) is the focus ingredient, combined with Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava) and Allium sativum (Garlic). The herbal materials were authenticated, pulverised and extracted by aqueous decoction (volume reduced to one-fourth), filtered, and blended with a simple syrup base (66.7% w/w). Methyl and propyl paraben (0.02% w/v each) served as preservatives and glycerin/sorbitol (3.0% v/v) as humectant. The finished syrup was packed in amber glass bottles. Evaluation comprised organoleptic and physicochemical parameters (pH 5.2-6.5, viscosity, specific gravity 1.15-1.30 g/mL), HPTLC fingerprinting with arjunolic acid and ascorbic acid as markers, FTIR compatibility analysis, acute oral toxicity according to OECD guideline 423, and accelerated stability testing at 40 °C ± 2 °C / 75% ± 5% RH for 3 to 6 months. The formulation is designed to be stable, palatable and free from cap-locking, and the proposed protocol provides a reproducible standard operating procedure for quality assurance of the syrup.