Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Oil -Roghan-e-Turb: A Traditional Unani Formulation for Analgesic Activity

Shaikh Wahed Shaikh Javed*, Shaikh Ujer Rafik, Patel Seema Aiyub vali

JIIU's Ali Allana College of Pharmacy, Akkalkuwa, Dist: Nandurbar, Maharashtra.

Email id: shaikhwahedshaikhjaved@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71431/IJRPAS.2026.5613 

Introduction:

The Unani System of Medicine (USM), one of the oldest traditional healthcare systems, emphasizes the use of natural formulations to restore the body’s humoral balance (Mizaj). Among its diverse pharmacopoeial preparations, Raughaniyat (medicated oils) hold a significant position due to their ability to deliver lipid-soluble bioactive compounds effectively through local application. One such classical formulation is Roghan-e-Turb (also known as Roghan-e-Turb), a medicated oil primarily composed of the juice of Raphanus sativus L. (Radish/Turb) processed in a base of Sesamum indicum L. (Sesame oil/Raughan-e-Kunjad).

Historically, Roghan-e-Turb has been the drug of choice for managing Waja’-al-Udhun (otalgia or earache) and various inflammatory conditions of the ear. According to Unani classical literature, it possesses potent Musakkin-i-Alam (analgesic) and Muhallil-i-Wararm (anti-inflammatory) properties. The primary ingredient, Raphanus sativus, contains secondary metabolites such as glucosinolates, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, which have been scientifically linked to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators like COX-2 and iNOS.

Despite its long-standing clinical use by Unani practitioners, there is a lack of consolidated scientific data regarding its standardized preparation and exact mechanism of action in modern pharmacological terms. As the global medical community shifts toward natural and plant-based alternatives to avoid the side effects of synthetic analgesics and antibiotics, it is imperative to evaluate traditional formulations like Roghan-e-Turb. This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy and pharmacological profile of Roghan-e-Turb in the management of ear-related disorders. (1,2,13-15)

1)      Raphanus sativus L. (Aab-e-Turb)

Botanical description: Raphanus sativus L. is an annual herb of the family Brassicaceae, cultivated mainly for its swollen taproot. In Roghan-e-Turb, the fresh root juice of the plant is used as ‘Araq-i-Turb.

Macroscopy: The root is fleshy, succulent, and pungent in taste and odour, with variation in shape and colour according to variety, such as white, red, pink, or black.

Microscopy: Microscopic characters useful for identification include epidermal cells, parenchymatous tissue, vascular bundles, spiral vessels, and other xylem elements.

Chemical constituents: The plant contains glucosinolates, sulfur-containing derivatives, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and other secondary metabolites.

Pharmacological relevance: Raphanus sativus has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic-related activities, supporting its traditional use in pain-relieving formulations. (1,2,16-18)

2)      Sesamum indicum L. (Roghan-i-Kunjad) (1,2,16,19,20)

Botanical description: Sesamum indicum L. is an oil-yielding plant of the family Pedaliaceae and is the source of sesame oil used in Roghan-e-Turb.

Macroscopy: Sesame seeds are small, oval, and flattened, and may be white, brown, or black depending on the variety; the expressed oil is pale yellow to golden and has a smooth consistency.

Microscopy: Microscopic features reported for sesame include oil globules, fibres, pitted vessels, tracheids with spiral thickening, and calcium oxalate crystals.

Chemical constituents: Major constituents include sesamin, sesamolin, sesamol, sesaminol, oleic acid, linoleic acid, tocopherols, phytosterols, proteins, and phenolic compounds.

Pharmacological relevance: Sesamum indicum exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, and analgesic-supportive effects, which justify its use as both a vehicle and active component in Unani oil preparations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

a)      Chemicals: (1,2)

                 Juice of radish

                 Sesame oil

b)     Apparatus used for formulation:

                                  i. Beaker

                                ii.Glass rod

                             iii. Heating mantle

                              iv. Measuring cylinder

c)      Formula and procedure: (1,2)

Table 1: Formula

d)     Procedure:

The ingredients were selected in pharmacopoeial quality. The roots were separated from the leaves, washed properly, and cut into small pieces. Juice was then extracted from the roots using a juicer. The obtained juice was mixed with Raughan-e-Kunjad according to the prescribed formulation ratio and heated gently until the total purified water content was completely evaporated. After heating, the preparation was allowed to cool to room temperature and filtered through muslin cloth. The filtered oil was collected and stored in a tightly closed glass container, protected from moisture. (1,2)

EVALUATION TEST FOR ROUGHAN / OIL

·         Macroscopic/ Organoleptic test

Organoleptic properties such as colour, odour, taste, appearance, texture, and consistency are assessed by sensory observation under standard laboratory conditions. Colour and appearance are noted by visual inspection, odour by smelling the sample, taste by careful sensory testing where appropriate, texture by tactile examination, and consistency by observing flow and homogeneity. This method is widely used in herbal and oil-based formulations for quality assessment and standardization. (21,22)

Table 2: Organoleptic properties

·      Physicochemical estimation test: (6,10,11,12)

a.    Specific gravity refers to the density of the oil in comparison to water, and it helps in identifying and comparing different oils.

Procedure: It was measured using a specific gravity bottle method. The value was then calculated using the standard formula based on the weight of the oil and the weight of an equal volume of water.                                             

 Specific gravity= weight of oil /weight of equal volume of water

            FORMULA:                                      𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 =

Where,

W1 weight of empty bottle

W2 weight of bottle + oil

W3 weight of bottle + water

               𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 = 𝟏.𝟎𝟐

b.   Viscosity (using Ostwald viscometer)

Procedure:

·      The viscometer was first cleaned thoroughly using warm chromic acid solution. If needed, an organic solvent like acetone was used, and the apparatus was dried properly. It was then fixed vertically on a stand.

·      Distilled water was filled into the viscometer up to mark G, and the time taken for the water to flow from mark A to mark B was recorded using a stopwatch. This step was repeated at least three times to ensure accuracy, and the average time was calculated.

·      After that, the viscometer was rinsed with the test liquid and filled up to mark A. The time taken for the test liquid to flow from mark A to mark B was noted.

·      Finally, the densities of both water and the test liquid were determined using a density bottle, and these values were used for viscosity calculation. (26-28)

            Absolute viscosity = Relative viscosity x Absolute viscosity of water

FORMULA:                                      

Where, ρ1 = density of unknown liquid

ρ2 = density of known liquid

t1 = time of flow for unknown liquid

t2 = time of flow for known liquid

η2 = viscosity of known liquid

Table 3: viscosity calculation table

          FORMULA:                     𝜂1 =           

=50.8 ×0.859

𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚=𝟒𝟖.𝟑𝟓𝒄𝒑

c.       PH: digital PH meter

d.      Density: Density is the amount of mass present in a given volume of a substance. (26-28)

FORMULA:                    

W1 weight of empty bottle

W2 weight of bottle + oil

𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚=𝟏.𝟎𝟏𝟔𝒈/𝒎𝒍

e.       Stability testing (Time period)

table 4: Stability testing

·         Chemical evaluation: (4,5,7-12)

        i.            Acid value: It represents the amount of potassium hydroxide (in mg) needed to neutralize the free fatty acids present in 1 gram of oil or fat.

Procedure:

·         First, about 10 g of the sample was accurately weighed and dissolved in 50 ml of a mixture of ethanol and ether in equal proportions.

·         This solvent mixture was already neutralized using 0.1 N KOH with phenolphthalein as an indicator.

·         The sample was then refluxed with continuous shaking to ensure complete dissolution.

·         After that, 1 ml of phenolphthalein solution was added, and the mixture was titrated with 0.1 N KOH until a faint pink colour persisted for at least 30 seconds.

·         Finally, the acid value was calculated using the standard formula.

FORMULA:                                

Where,

A=ml of 0.1 N KOH consumed for sample

N= Normality of KOH

W= Weight in g of the sample.

=5.5 × 0.1 × 5.61

Acid value = 3.08

      ii.            Saponification value: It is defined as the amount of potassium hydroxide (in mg) required to neutralize the fatty acids obtained after complete hydrolysis of 1 g of oil or fat.

Procedure:

·         First, about 2 g of the sample was taken into a 200 ml flask fitted with a reflux condenser. To this, 25 ml of 0.5 M ethanolic KOH and a small amount of pumice powder were added.

·         The mixture was then refluxed on a water bath for about 30 minutes. After refluxing, 1 ml of phenolphthalein indicator was added, and the solution was titrated immediately with 0.5 M HCl. The reading obtained was noted as (a).

·         A blank determination was carried out in the same way, without the sample, and the reading was recorded as (b).

FORMULA:                      

Where,

W= Weight in g of the sample.

= 28.05 ×6.55

Saponification value = 183.72

    iii.            Iodine value: It is defined as the amount of iodine (in grams) absorbed by 100 g of oil or fat, and it indicates the degree of unsaturation present in the sample.

Procedure (Wijs Method):

·         An accurately weighed amount of the sample was taken in a dry 500 ml iodine flask and dissolved in 10 ml of carbon tetrachloride. To this, 20 ml of iodine monochloride solution was added. The flask was stoppered and kept in the dark at a temperature of 15–25°C for about 30 minutes.

·         After incubation, 15 ml of potassium iodide solution was added slowly. The stopper and inner walls of the flask were rinsed with water to ensure complete transfer of the contents. The mixture was then shaken well and titrated with 0.1 M sodium thiosulfate solution using starch as an indicator, which was added towards the end of the titration. The volume of sodium thiosulfate used was recorded as (a).

·         A blank determination was performed under the same conditions without the sample, and the reading was noted as (b).

           FORMULA:                          Iodine value =

Where,

W= Weight in g of the sample

Note:
The approximate quantity of the sample can be selected by dividing 20 by the expected iodine value. If excessive halogen absorption occurs, the experiment should be repeated using a smaller sample amount.

=

Iodine value= 108.62

    iv.            Solubility:
A small amount of the prepared herbal oil was taken in a test tube and mixed separately with different solvents such as water, ethanol, chloroform, and ether. Each mixture was shaken well and observed carefully to check whether the oil dissolved completely, partially, or remained insoluble. Based on these observations, the solubility of the sample was recorded for each solvent. This test is commonly used as a preliminary method to evaluate the physicochemical properties of herbal and oil-based formulations. (23,24)

           Table 5: Solubility testing

RESULTS & DISCUSSION:

The formulated herbal oil Roghan-e-Turb was successfully prepared using the standard Unani method and evaluated through organoleptic, physicochemical, and chemical parameters.

Table 6: Result table

DISCUSSION:

The present study confirms the successful formulation and standardization of Roghan-e-Turb using pharmacopeial methods. The organoleptic parameters were consistent with standard specifications, indicating uniformity and absence of degradation. Physicochemical evaluation showed increased specific gravity and density compared to standard Sesamum indicum oil, suggesting effective incorporation of phytoconstituents from Raphanus sativus. The viscosity (48.35 cp) falls within the acceptable range, ensuring appropriate rheological properties for topical administration. The acid value (3.08) was well within the prescribed limit, indicating minimal free fatty acid content and low susceptibility to hydrolytic rancidity. The saponification value (183.72) exhibited slight deviation from standard values, possibly due to alteration in fatty acid composition following herbal integration. The iodine value within the reference range reflects a maintained degree of unsaturation, essential for pharmacological activity. The solubility profile confirmed the non-polar, lipidic nature of the formulation, facilitating enhanced permeability and bioavailability. Overall, the results demonstrate that the formulation complies with quality control parameters, exhibits physicochemical stability, and supports its traditional analgesic and anti-inflammatory applications.

CONCLUSION

The present study successfully demonstrates the formulation and evaluation of Roghan-e-Turb, a traditional Unani medicated oil. The evaluation parameters confirm that the prepared formulation meets standard quality requirements in terms of organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical properties, and chemical stability. The presence of bioactive constituents from Raphanus sativus and Sesamum indicum supports its traditional use as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The results validate that the formulation is stable, effective, and suitable for therapeutic application, particularly in ear-related disorders such as otalgia. Thus, Roghan-e-Turb can be considered a reliable and standardized herbal formulation. Further pharmacological and clinical studies are recommended to establish its efficacy and mechanism of action in modern scientific terms.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors express their sincere gratitude to the Principal, Dr. Gulam Javed Khan, along with the faculty members and staff of Ali Allana College of Pharmacy, Akkalkuwa, for providing the necessary facilities and academic support to carry out this research work. Special thanks are extended to the project guide for their valuable guidance, constant encouragement, and continuous support throughout the study. The authors also thank their parents, family members, and friends for their motivation and support during the completion of this work.

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