Pharmaceutical Research
Brief overview:
The Ayurvedic medicines are broadly classified into 2 categories viz. i) classical Ayurvedic medicines which are manufactured in accordance with the formulae described in authoritative books of Ayurveda as specified in the First Schedule of Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940, Rule 1945 and ii) Patent or proprietary Ayurvedic medicines which are manufactured containing ingredients mentioned in authoritative books of Ayurveda as specified in the First Schedule but not administered by parenteral route and also formulation not included in the authoritative books.
CCRAS undertakes research to validate classical Ayurvedic formulations and scientifically validate new formulations/drugs. Under validation of classical Ayurveda formulations, the Council has identified classical Ayurveda formulations for identified disease conditions, referring to Ayurvedic pharmacopeia /Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Essential Drug list of ASU medicines, Ministry of Ayush, and other Ayurveda classical texts. These quality-assured classical formulations are being validated through the Council’s institutes. Further, the Council develops standards for the classical Ayurved medicines for which API standards are not available.
The Council undertakes drug development in diseases of national importance through systematic process of drug development viz. drug standardization and quality control, preclinical safety/toxicity studies and biological activity studies (as appropriate) and clinical trials as per requirement. These Ayurvedic drugs are made available into the healthcare system through transfer of technology.
Details of the scheme and objectives: The CCRAS- Drug Development Cell was set up during the year 2017-18. This cell has been reconstituted as a Product development and trial drug coordination cell with effect from 22nd August 2023, with the following terms of reference:
- Co-ordination of product development, liasoning with concerned programme officers and scientists of various disciplines.
- Appraisal of ongoing Research regarding various stages of product development, such as standardization, including Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Stability, Preclinical, safety, efficacy, and Mechanistic studies, and Clinical studies.
- Liasoning and coordination of development of Dossier in Coordination with Translational Research, Intellectual Property Rights, and Business Development (TRIPR & BD) Cell.
- Identification of Gaps based on various ongoing and completed studies and available leads in the chain of product development
- Coordination for Randomization of trial drugs and ensuring the availability of drugs for Clinical studies as per requirement
- Coordination and liasoning for ensuring the supply of trial drugs by the Nodal Officer/PI in coordination with TRIPR & BD cell.
- Coordination with the Pharmaceutical industry and PCIM&H for product development issues.
- Media Management and IEC activities related to Drug development.
Core Objectives:
- To undertake research studies for the development of SOP of Classical and New Dosage forms of Ayurvedic medicines.
- Pharmaceutical Standardisation of formulations as per API/AFI guidelines and Classical Ayurvedic texts.
- Preparation of formulations as per API/AFI guidelines and Classical Ayurvedic texts.
- Establishment of Quality control parameters for Ayurvedic drugs
- Development of new products and technology transfer to industries
- Preparation and supply of trial drugs for various research projects
- Preparation and supply of medicines for OPD and IPD of the CCRAS institutes
Scientist working:
CCRAS -Headquarters
- Dr. T. Maheswar, Assistant Director (Ayurveda)
- Dr. B S Sharma, Research Officer (Ayurveda)
- Dr Shruti Khanduri, Research Officer (Ayurveda)
- Dr Mukesh Chincholikar, Research Officer (Ayurveda)
- Dr.Varsha Sumedan, Research Officer (Ayurveda)
CCRAS Peripheral Institutes involved:
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bhubaneswar
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Kolkata
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Patiala
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Mumbai
- Central Ayurveda Research Institute, New Delhi
- National Ayurveda Research Institute for Panchakarma – Cheruthuruthy
- Captain Srinivasa Murthy Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Chennai
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Gwalior
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Gangtok
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Ranikhet
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Mandi
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Jammu
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Jaipur
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Lucknow
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Patna
- Regional Ayurveda Research Centre, Dimapur
- Regional Ayurveda Research Centre, Agartala
- Regional Ayurveda Research Centre, Trivandrum
Infrastructure and Facility-Based Informational
CCRAS has 5 GMP-certified pharmacies at Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi, Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Kolkata, Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Patiala and National Ayurveda Research Institute for Panchakarma, Cheruthuruthy with sophisticated instruments in different sections, viz. Churna, Tablet, Capsule, Taila, Ghrita, Avaleha, and Rasaushadhis. These pharmacies are associated with well-equipped Quality control labs.
- State-of-the-art, sophisticated facilities in each section are well equipped with instruments.
- Advanced tools enable cutting-edge research in Ayurveda.
- The availability of such instruments facilitates accurate and precise data collection and analysis..
- Various sections under one umbrella ie Ayurveda Research Pharmacy, Botany, Pharmacognosy, Chemistry, Microbiology Section and Pharmacology Section.
Rasaushadhi Section
Details of IMR Pharmaceutical Research Projects
2021-2022
| Project Code | Name of Project | Status | Publication |
| IPC0001 | Process validation and pharmaceutical standardization of Pishtis of Akika, Jaharamohara, Badarashma, and Trinakantamani and their chemical analysis by advanced analytical techniques. | Completed | Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 15, 100989, May, 2024 |
| IPC0002 | Process Validation, Pharmaceutical Standardization and accelerated stability testing of Bhallatakadi Modak | Completed | |
| IPC0003 | Formulation, Standardization and Process Validation of Laghu Sutashekhar Rasa Tablet | Completed | Front Chem 2023;11:1271157 |
| IPC0004 | Pharmaceutical standardization of five calcium containing bhasmas (Shankha, Shukti, Varatika, Godanti and Kukkutanda Twak) and their chemical analysis by advanced analytical techniques | Completed | |
| IPC0005 | Process Validation, Pharmaceutical Standardization and accelerated stability study of Ayush LND tablets | Completed |
2022-2023
| Project Code | Name of Project | Status |
| IPC0006 | Process Validation, Pharmaceutical Standardization, Accelerated Stability Study and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Ayush Ghutti Dispersible tablet | Completed |
| IPC0007 | Pharmaceutical Standardization, Antimicrobial activity and Accelerated stability study of Arkas of Ajamoda, Guduchi, Kiratatikta and Mishreya | Completed |
| IPC0008 | Process standardization of polyherbal formulations (Ajmodadi Churna, Panchkola Churna and Haridradi Churna) with its Shelf-Life and Anti-microbial evaluation. | Completed |
| IPC0009 | Development of SoP and quality standards of Ayurvedic hero-mineral formulation Gandhaka Rasayana | Completed |
| IPC0010 | Process validation, pharmaceutical standardization and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Ajeernakantak Rasa, Kanaksundar Ras and Hinguleshvara Ras. | Completed |
| IPC0011 | Process Validation, Pharmaceutical Standardization with classical and modern techniques along with the evaluation of Shelf -life and antimicrobial activity of Pippalyadi Yonivarti, Arkadi Yonivarti and Kushthadi Yonivarti | Completed |
| IPC0012 | Process validation and pharmaceutical standardization estimation of shelf life study of Vacalasunadi Taila, Somaraji Taila, Hingutriguna Taila and Yastimadhu Ghrita | Ongoing |
2023-2024
| Project Code | Name of Project | Status |
| IPC0013 | Development of quality standards for selected Arka formulation | Completed |
| IPC0014 | Pharmaceutical development and characterization of Karuthamarmani gutika/tablet/Shirastodadi gutika/tablet | Completed |
| IPC0015 | Pharmaceutical Standardization of Polyherbal Formulations MML Taila with Shelf-Life Study | Completed |
| IPC0016 | Process validation and standardization of Pippalyadi Taila, Vachadi taila and Bhringamalakadi Taila formulations in AFI | Completed |
| IPC0017 | Formulation Development, Pharmaceutical Standardization and Accelerated Stability Studies of Pushkar Guggulu Tablets. | Ongoing |
| IPC0018 | Process Validation, Pharmaceutical Standardization and Estimation of Shelf-life Study of Abhijita Taila, Madhukadi Taila and Vyaghri Taila” | Ongoing |
| IPC0019 | Formulation development and pharmaceutical standardization of Amrutadi vati/tablets by different methods using Churna, Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts with their comparative analytical and Accelerated Stability Studies. | Ongoing |
| IPC0020 | Pharmaceutical standardization and Characterization of Yashad Bhasma | Ongoing |
| IPC0021 | Pharmaceutical Standardization, SOP Development and Comprehensive Phytochemical profiling of selected Ayolepa Rasayana Kalpana. | Ongoing |
2024-2025
| Project Code | Name of Project | Status |
| IPC0022 | Pharmaceutical Development and Standardization of Ayush VR oil, its gel/ ointment form with Accelerated Stability Study, In-silico, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities | Ongoing |
| IPC0023 | Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Pharmacovigilance of Ayurvedic Medicines among Registered Ayurvedic Medical Practitioners of the Respective States- a Multicentre Study | Completed |
| IPC0024 | A Systematic survey of the labelling information of Ayurvedic drugs included in NLEAM and marketed in India in compliance with Rule 161 of the D & C Act 1940 and Rule 1945. | Ongoing |
2025-2026
| Project Code | Name of Project | Status | |
| IPC0025 | Formulation Development and pharmaceutical Standardization of Dadrughna Ointment with Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Dermal Toxicity and Accelerated stability study. | CARI, Jhansi RARI, Gwalior | Ongoing |
| IPC0026 | Product Development, Pharmaceutical Standardization and Accelerated stability study of AYUSH Nutri granules along with Computational study for its active metabolites | CARI, Jhansi | Ongoing |
| IPC0027 | Pharmaceutical Development of Ayush Osto tablets (Quality assurance and stability studies) | CARI, Jhansi | Ongoing |
| IPC0028 | Comprehensive study on Drug inventory for analysis of utilization of classical Ayurvedic medicines in CCRAS during the year 2023-23-reg. | ALRARI, Chennai | Ongoing |
Collaborative projects – Pharmaceutical Research
2019–2020
| Project Code | Title of the Project | Participating Institute | Collaborating Institute | Status |
| CPC0001 | Development of Metal-based Ayurvedic Formulation (MBAF) for the treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APML) | RARI, Ranikhet | Shashi Chandra Rasashala Skirora, Bilaspur, UP | Ongoing |
| CPC0002 | Development of SOPs and Standardization of Different Preparation Techniques of the Netra Putapaka Formulation Use for Ophthalmic Use | CARI, Patiala | LPU University, Paghwara | Completed |
2022-2023
| Project Code | Title of the Project | Participating Institute | Collaborating Institute | Status |
| CPC0003 | Design and Development of a device for efficient removal and recovery of heavy metals form the fumes of Rasa Ausadhies during its preparation. | CARI, Jhansi | IIT Delhi | Ongoing |
2023-24
| Project Code | Title of the Project | Participating Institute | Collaborating Institute | Status |
| CPC0004 | Documentation of Traditional Food Recipes of Karnataka and their Validation with Ayurveda and Nutritional Perspective | CARI, Bengaluru | The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru | Ongoing |
| CPC0005 | Formulation and product development of Ayurveda recipes and nutritional evaluation of selected products. | CARI, Bengaluru | CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore | Ongoing |
2025-26
| Project Code | Title of the Project | Participating Institute | Collaborating Institute | Status |
| CPC0006 | Pharmaceutical development and Standardization of a Lodhradi yonivarti, Ayush LPM vaginal tablet, and Ayush vaginal LPM vaginal gel along with its evaluation of vaginal irritation study, shelf-life and Antimicrobial study | CARI, Jhansi | NIPER, Raebareli | Ongoing |
CCRAS – DRUG DEVELOPMENT
| Drugs Developed and Technology Transferred | |
| Ayush 64 – Malaria repurposed for Influenza like illness and COVID – 19 | Ayush SS granules –Insufficient Lactation |
| Ayush 82 – Diabetes | Ayush PK Avaleha – Post Natal Care |
| Ayush SG – Rheumatoid Arthritis | Ayush BR Lehyam – Nutritional Supplement |
| Ayush 56 – Epilepsy | Ayush PG tablet – for Pedal Edema during pregnancy |
| Ayush Ghutti tablet – Prevention of diarrhoea and fever in children | Ayush CCT – cardiac care |
| Ayush Bal Rasayana – Paediatric Care | Ayush KVM syrup – Paediatric Care |
| Ayush AG – Ante Natal Care | |
| Drug Developed and Ready for Technology Transfer | |
| Ayush PE Drops – for Allergic Conjunctivitis | Ayush ADE candy – Ante Natal Care |
| Ayush Rasayana A – Rasayana for elderly person | Ayush SR – for Stress |
| Ayush Rasayana B – Rasayana for elderly person | Ayush LND – for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding |
| Ayush AGT lotion & cream – for Dandruff | Ayush LK Gel – for Psoriasis |
| Ayush NT – Psoriasis | Ayush GG – Ante Natal Care |
| Ayush PVK Gel – Shweta Pradar | Ayush SDM Tablets – General Nervine Tonic |
| Ayush RP – Sickle Cell Anemia | Ayush Poshak Yoga – Nutritional Supplement |
| Ayush GMH– Fatty Liver | Ayush PTK – Hepato-protection as adjuvant to Anti Tubercular Treatment |
| Drug Development in Process | |
| Ayush SL – Filariasis | Ayush MML oil – Pain Management |
| Ayush Manas – ADHD | Ayush A – Bronchial Asthma |
| Ayush UT ointment – Gynecological Disorders | Ayush M3 – Migraine |
| Ayush D – Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus | Ayush PJ-7 – Dengue Fever |
| Ayush PC Tablet – Coronary Artery Disease | Ayush VR Oil – Wound Healing |
| Ayush HR – Pre Hypertension | Ayush Osto Tablet – Osteopenia / Osteoporosis |
| Ayush Nutri Granules – Nutritional Supplement | Ayush LPM Vaginal Tablet/Gel – Leucorrhea |
Updated on 24/02/2026