A PILOT STUDY ON RASA (TASTE QUALITY) DETERMINATION OF AN EXTRA AYURVEDIC PHARMACOPOEIAL DRUG BULBOPHYLLUM NEILGHERRENSE WIGHT.

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1 Original Research A PILOT STUDY ON RASA (TASTE QUALITY) DETERMINATION OF AN EXTRA AYURVEDIC PHARMACOPOEIAL DRUG BULBOPHYLLUM NEILGHERRENSE WIGHT. Harshitha Kumari, Nishteswar K Institute of Post Graduate Training and & Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar Corresponding author drharshitharai@gmail.com Abstract Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wt. is an epiphyte belonging to family Orchidaceae. The drug is found in South Indian forests where the pseudobulb is used as medicine by the villagers and tribes. There is no published information available on the fundamental ayurvedic principles of this plant. According to ayurveda, Rasa (taste) is the practical and demonstrable quality in the drug which helps in understanding the mode of action. Knowledge of the Rasa of a drug also acts as a tool to determine the probable action of the drug. Hence Rasa of the useful part of the drug i.e. pseudobulb was determined with the help of healthy volunteers through ayurvedic parameters based on a special proforma designed for the purpose. Rasa of the drug was found to be Madhura (sweet) and Anurasa (subsidiary taste) to be Lavana (salt). Key words- Bulbophyllum neilgherrense, pseudobulb, Rasa, taste determination, Ayurveda. Annals Ayurvedic Med. 2013:2(3) P Introduction Rasa (taste), Guna (property), Veerya (potency), Vipaka (metabolism) and Prabhava (specific principle) i.e., Rasa panchaka are the fundamental principles of drug action according to ayurvedic pharmacology [1]. Knowledge of these fundamental principles of the drug is essential to know the mode of action and to include newer drugs into ayurvedic materia medica. Ayurvedic classics classified various drugs into different groups on the basis of Karma (pharmacological action) [2] and the principles involved in the initiation of it are described under Guna (properties). In a general sense, the word Guna is interpreted as Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka and Prabhava by Cakrapanidutta, commentator of Charakasamhita [3]. Out of these five principles Rasa is considered as the prime factor which made Acharyas (ayurvedic scholars) to introduce groups of drugs basing on Rasa i.e, Rasaskandha [4]. Rasa, word is derived from the verb Ras with suffix Ach meaning which is perceived by Rasana (gustatory sense organ/ tongue) and is situated in Dravya [5]. Raso nipate dravyanaam, when Dravya (drug) is administered, the first principle for drug action is identified i.e., Rasa (taste) [6]. Rasa is a quality in the drug which is Pratyakshagamya (practical and demonstrable) that can be perceived through Rasanendriya or tongue. Rasa acts as a tool to determine the probable action of the Dravya on Dosha (body humours), Guna or Panchamahabhuta (five proto elements) in the body, since the action of Rasa on Dosha, Guna of all Rasa [7] and panchabhoutic compositions (proto elements) of Rasa [8] are communicated in ayurvedic texts. This makes the determination of Rasa an important aspect in understanding the drug action. Acharya Charaka states that A physician well acquainted with the classification of Rasa and Dosha seldom commits blunders in ascertaining the etiology, symptomatology and treatment of diseases [9]. Cakrapanidutta (commentator of Charakasamhita) opines that drugs and diets having particular tastes cause diseases and also responsible to cure the diseases if administered with care. He is also of the 72

2 opinion that by identifying the Rasa of a drug, one can get the knowledge of its nature (Rasataha swarupajnanam bheshajadrayasya) [10]. Ayurveda describes originally six kinds of Rasa and their permutation and combination give sixty three tastes in total as per the influence of Dravya (substance), Desha (region) and Kala (season) [11]. Rasa of a Dravya being Pratyakshagamya (perceivable) can be identified and expressed by any healthy human being when it is intense. But many drugs exhibit combinations of tastes where the order of perception and intensity of particular Rasa may be expressed differently from individual to individual [12],[13]. This may lead to confusion and improper standardization of the drug. This may be the reason why ancient seers have given the symptoms of each rasa. There are a few methods of taste determination developed by scholars of ayurveda in 20 th century to identify the taste and to know the intensity of a particular taste. Prof C. Dwarakanath was the first person to describe taste threshold experiments for identification as well as understanding the intensity of taste in Ayurvedic drugs [14]. Prof S.C. Dhyani conducted taste threshold test on 150 Ayurvedic raw drugs and documented their rasa and its intensity by Pratyaksha pramana using tongue [15]. Immediate taste perception method was followed in another study to determine Rasa [16]. Attempt was also made to separate Amlarasa (sour) [17], Tiktarasa (bitter) [18] and Kashayarasa (astringent) [19] fractions of drugs through TLC to get botanical reference material (BRM) for the studied drugs, in which the Rf (retention factor) value did not show complete similarity and dependability with selected similar tasting drugs. The methods like evaluation of taste threshold and fractionization of Rasa component (BRM) cannot be relied upon for the detection of taste of an unknown drug (unknown through ayurvedic principles). Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wt. is an extra ayurvedic pharmacopoeial drug found in South Indian forests belonging to family Orchidaceae. Pseudobulb is used medicinally to treat leucoderma [20], the juice from pseudobulb is used as a restorative of adolescence and also as a tonic [21]. The folklore vaidyas of South East Asia use pseudobulb juice as a cooling drink in summer [22]. There are no reports regarding the Rasadi gunas (pharmacological principles) of the drug. To determine the Rasa and to ascertain the panchabhoutic composition of the drug, a special questionnaire is designed based on the characters told for each Rasa in Brihatrayis (larger trios) of ayurveda to make the assessment objective. Materials and Methods- Charakasamhita, Sushrutasamhita, Ashtangasangraha and Ashtangahridaya were screened and the symptoms attributed to each Rasa in these texts of ayurveda were summed up [23],[24],[25],[26] (Table1). The subjective characters of Rasa which could be recognized immediately when put to tongue and mouth are listed for each Rasa. The symptoms like Besmears the mouth (Vaktram anulimpati), Feeling of unctuousness (Snehana), Pleasurable sensation in body (Prahladayati) are identifiable characters of Madhura Rasa (sweet taste). Abundant saliva secretion thereby cleansing the mouth (Mukhasrava, Kshalayate mukham), Tingling sensation of teeth (Dantaharsha), Horripilations in skin (Romaharsha), Shrinking of eyebrows and lids (Akshibhrunikochana) are the identifiable characters of Amla Rasa (sour taste). Tongue and mouth gets moistened and soft (Mardavamapadayati), Burning sensation in buccal cavity and throat (Kapolagaladahakrit) are symptoms of Lavana Rasa (salt taste). Tingling sensation at the tip of the tongue (Udvejayati jihwagram), Burning sensation in tongue and oral cavity (Vidaha in mukha), Salivation (Sravayati mukha), Secretion from eyes and nose (Sravayati akshi, nasa) are produced by Katu Rasa (pungent taste). Cleansing and drying the mouth (Visadayati asyam), Feeling of temporary loss of taste perception (Rasanaam pratihanti) are the identifiable characters for Tikta Rasa (bitter taste). Feeling of stiffness in tongue (Jadayati jihwa), Choking feeling in throat (Kantam badhnati) for Kashaya Rasa (astringent taste) are the perceptible characters. Without naming the principal taste, these listed characters were incorporated in the questionnaire. Other organoleptic characters like colour, smell, texture were also included (Fig 1). 73

3 Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wt. is collected from its natural habitat near Puttur, Karnataka state, India. Identification of the drug was confirmed from Dr. Gopalakrishna Bhat (Retd Prof Botony, Author of Flora of Udupi) and preserved with voucher specimen number 6025\2012, in the unit of Pharmacognosy, Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching & Reaseach in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar. The pseudobulbs are separated from other parts, cleaned, chopped and shade dried. It is then powdered and sieved in mesh of 80#. About 3gm of this powder is packed in small packets. Volunteer study was approved and clearance was given by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Thirty healthy volunteers of either gender specifically from ayurveda faculty were selected and the proforma was explained to them. After obtaining informed voluntary consent, volunteers were asked to clean their mouth. Then the packed drug powder was given to them for tasting and instructed to fill the questionnaire accordingly. When the drug is put to mouth, the symptoms felt were marked (Yes/No) in the proforma by the volunteer and the questionnaire was later analyzed by the scholar to know the original taste. Results and Discussion- Among 30 volunteers, 25 volunteers (83.33%) could feel two symptoms of Madhura Rasa out of three, i.e., Besmears the mouth and Feeling of unctuousness, among which 22 of the volunteers were common volunteers to feel both the symptoms. 20 volunteers (66.66%) identified the symptom, tongue and mouth gets moistened and soft, a symptom of Lavana Rasa. Salivation was felt by 16 volunteers (53.33%). 20% volunteers felt Pleasurable sensation in body, Abundant saliva secretion thereby cleansing the mouth and Tingling sensation in tongue tip, symptoms of Madhura, Amla and Katu Rasa respectively (Table 2). All the three subjective symptoms of Madhura Rasa were experienced by 5 volunteers. Symptoms like besmears the mouth and feeling of unctuousness were noticed by 25 volunteers. Intensity of sweet being very mild, pleasurable sensation in body is felt by 6 volunteers only. One of the characters of Lavana Rasa, tongue and mouth gets moistened and soft is identified by 20 volunteers, the other character being burning sensation in buccal cavity and throat could be felt by only one volunteer. This shows that Lavana Rasa is not so prominent in the drug, can be regarded as less intense than Madhura Rasa and hence can be considered as Anurasa (subsidiary taste). Salivation, even though a Katu Rasa symptom, if it is not associated with secretion from eyes and nose it may not be due to Katu Rasa. Highly mucilaginous character of the bulb may be the reason for this perception. Tingling sensation in tongue tip is felt by 6 volunteers and Burning sensation in tongue and oral cavity by one volunteer. All the symptoms of Katu Rasa were not felt by any volunteer indicating the meager presence of Katuta in the drug. Symptoms of Tikta Rasa being cleansing and drying the mouth, Feeling of temporary loss of taste perception is identified by 2 and 3 volunteers respectively. Feeling of stiffness in tongue, a symptom of Kashaya Rasa was perceived by 1 volunteer. Hence Katu, Tikta and Kashaya Rasa in the drug may not be considered (Table 2). Salivation may also be considered as due to Lavana Rasa, since Kapha praseka (liquification of phlegm) is a symptom told by Acharya Sushruta. Basing on this analysis it is concluded that the drug is predominantly Madhura in Rasa as most of the volunteers identified Madhura characters and Lavana being the next may be considered as its Anurasa. Among the five principles of drug action, Rasa (taste) is the only perceivable attribute of Dravya and rest of the principles are to be inferred basing on the action or effect produced on the body. In the Samanapratyarabdha dravya (drugs exhibiting Veerya and Vipaka intune with Rasa), the principle Rasa helps to interpret the total drug activity [27]. The data analysed indicate that the trial drug possesses Madhura Rasa and Lavana Anurasa. The pseudobulb juice being used as a tonic and as a cooling drink in summer by the tribals, it is more appropriate to consider veerya and vipaka as Sheeta and Madhura respectively. 74

4 Most of the orchid drugs do not exhibit intense taste and smell. Source drug for Jeevanti, Flickingeria nodosa, Orchidaceae is reported to have no characteristic taste and flavor in its stem and pseudobulbs [28]. The organoleptic characters like taste and smell of Bulbophyllum neilgherrense is also not intense. The Orchidaceae drugs of Ashtavarga used in ayurvedic medicines like Jeevaka (Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.)Kuntze), Rshabhaka (Malaxis acuminata D.Don) are included in Madhura skandha (group of drugs with sweet taste) [4] and Riddhi (Habenaria intermedia D.Don), Vriddhi (Habenaria edgeworthii Hook.f.ex Collett) are also composed of Madhura Rasa and Sheeta veerya [29], the Kanda (bulb/tuber) of which forms the useful part. Jeevaka also being used as vegetable is having Madhura rasa with Lavana Anurasa, Madhura vipaka and Sheeta veerya [30]. This proforma is helpful to identify the taste of extra ayurvedic pharmacopoeial drugs based on symptoms of Rasa given in classical ayurvedic texts. Rasa identified to be Madhura, it can be inferred that the drug is dominant of Prithvi and Ap mahabhuta (earth and water proto elements) [8]. Composition of Lavana which is the Anurasa of the drug is Ap and Agni mahabhuta (water and fire proto elements) [8]. This shows that Prithvi, Ap and Agni are the dominant proto elements in the drug which are responsible for the manifestation of these Rasa. Conclusion Taste by tongue is the best method for ascertaining the Rasa of a drug as Rasa is nothing but an experience perceived by tongue. Rasa is one of the tools for identification of the drug and to know the therapeutic application. Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wt., an herb in tribal use has shown to have Madhura Rasa and Lavana Anurasa (sweet taste and salt as subsidiary taste) with predominance of Prithvi, Ap and Agni Mahabhutas (earth, water and fire proto elements). This evaluation of Rasa helps to express sensations produced at tongue level with the drug. This proforma developed for the taste determination without mentioning the names of Rasa (one way blinding the volunteer) helps to avoid bias and coaxing to tick the name of tastes directly. References 1. Carakasamhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, Pt. Kasinatha Sast ri, Sut ra Sthana, Atreyabhadrakapyeeya adhyaya (26:71), P.356, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sushrutasamhita, Sushruta, Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya, Sutra Sthana, Dravyasangrahaniyam adhyayam (38:5-77), 8 th edition, P , Choukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, Carakasamhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, Pt. Kasinatha Sastri, Sutra Sthana, Deerghanjeeviteeya adhyaya (1:59), P.27, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Carakasamhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, Rogabhishagjiteeyavimana adhyaya (8/: ), P , Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Ojha J. K. A Hand Book of Dravya Guna. First Edition, P. 29, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan, Carakasamhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, Atreyabhadrakapyeeya adhyaya (26:67), P.355, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Astangahridaya, Laghu Vagbhata, Hari Sastri Paradakara Vaidya, Sutrasthana, Rasabhediya Adhyaya (10:6-21), P , Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, Astangahridaya, Laghu Vagbhata, Hari Sastri Paradakara Vaidya, Sutrasthana, Rasabhediya Adhyaya (10:1), P.174, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, Carakasamhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, Atreyabhadrakapyeeya adhyaya (26:27), P.339, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Caraka samhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, 75

5 At reyabhadrakapyeeya adhyaya (26:27),Cakrapanidutta Theeka, P.339, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Caraka samhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, At reyabhadrakapyeeya adhyaya (26:14),Cakrapanidutta Theeka, P.336, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Dhyani SC. Rasapanchaka. 3rd edition. P.66-67, Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Dwarakanath C. The fundamental principles of Ayurveda. Part 3, Section 1. 1st ed. P ,Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Dhyani SC. Rasapanchaka. 3rd edition. P , Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy. Varanasi, Shyam Prasad M. Anju Ramachandran. Nishteswar K. Hari Mohan Chandola. A preface study on exploring the pharmacodynamics of Curcuma neilgherrensis Wight.-A folklore medicine. Indian journal of traditional knowledge. April 2013;Vol.12 (2): Panara Kalpesh. Khanpara Komal. Acharya Rabinarayan. Shukla VJ. Application of TLC as method to evaluate ayurvedic drugs using Amlarasa dominancy. International Journal of Pharmacy Review and Research. 2013;3(1): Mehta Shital. Acharya Rabinarayan. Shukla V. J. Khanpara Komal. Role of Thin Layer Chromatography in Ascertaining Tikta rasa (bitter taste) of a Medicinal Plant o n the Co ncept of Samana and Vichitrapratyayarabdha Principles of Ayurveda. International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives. 2012;3(1): Khanpara Komal. Renuka. Shukla VJ. Acharya Rabinarayan. Phytochemical evaluation of Kulath and Kanchanar by using planar chromatography. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences. 2012;23(10): Kumari Harshitha, Reshmi Pushpan, Nishteswar K. Multi faceted actions of orchids in ethno medicine-an appraisal. International Journal of Pharmaceutical &Biological Archives 2012; 3(4): Kumari Harshitha, Nishteswar K, Harisha C R (2013), Pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical investigations on different parts of Bulbophyllum neilgherrense wight. - An orchid used in folk medicine., Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 2(4): Ethnobotany in SouthAsia, J K Maheshwari, J.Econ. Taxon. Bot. Additional series, 12 scientific publishers, Jodhpur (India), 1996: Carakasamhita, Agnivesha, Vidyotini hindi commentary, Atreyabhadrakapyeeya adhyaya (26:74-79), P.357, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Sushrutasamhita, Sushruta, Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya, Sutra Sthana, Rasavisesha vijnaniyam adhyayam,(42:10), 8 th edition, P , Choukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, [25] Astanga Samgraha, VridhaVagbhata, Kaviraj Atrideva Gupta, Sutrasthana, Rasabhediya Adhyaya (18:3), 147, Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy; Varanasi:2005; 26.Astangahridaya, Laghu Vagbhata, Hari Sastri Paradakara Vaidya, Sutrasthana, Rasabhediya Adhyaya (10:2-6), P , Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, Dhyani SC. Rasapanchaka. 3rd edition., P.126, Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Madhavan V. Tomar Gajendra Singh. Yoganarasimhan SN. Gurudeva MR. Pharmacognostical studies on Flickingeria nodosa (Dalz.) Seidenf. stem and pseudobulbs A botanical source of the Ayurvedic drug Jeevanti. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources. March2010; (1):

6 [29] Raja nighantu, Narahari Pandita, Indradeeva tripathi(ed), Parpatadi varga (32), P.110, Choukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, Tables Table1- Characters of Rasa given in ayurvedic classics- [30] Sushrutasamhita, Sushruta, Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya, Sutra Sthana, Annapanavidhim adhyayam (46:275), 8 th edition, P.234, Choukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, Rasa Madhura Amla Lavana Tikta Katu Kashaya Susrutasamhita Su.42 Paritoshamutpadayati, Prahladayati, Tarpayati, Jeevayati, Mukhopalepa janayati, Shlesma vardhayati Dantaharsham utpadayati, Mukhasravam janayati, Shradham utpadayati Bhakta ruchi utpadayati, Kapha prasekam janayati, Mardavam apadayati Gale chosha utpadayati, Mukha vaisadya, Bhaktaruchim cha apadayati Jihwagram badhate, Udvegam janayati, Shiro grhneete, nasikan cha sravayati Vaktram parishoshayati, Jihwa stambhayati, Kantam badhnati, Hridayam karshati pidayati Charakasamhita Su. 26/73-79 Snehana, Preenana, Ahlada, Mardava upalabhyate; Vyapnuvan, Limpana in mukha Dantaharsha, Mukhasrava, Swedana, Mukhabodhana, Asya kanta vidaha Produces Praleeyan, Kleda, Vishyanda, Mardavata in mukha; Mukha vidaha Pratihanti rasana, Swadate na cha, Mukha vaishadya, Shosha, Prahladakara Samvejayet, Tudati, Vidaha in mukha, nasa, akshi and Srava. Vaishdya, Stambha, Jadyata in Rasana; Badhnativa kantha, Vikasi Ashtangasangraha Mukham upalimpati, Indriyani prasadayati, Deha prahladayati Jiwham udvejayati, Ura kanta vidahati, Mukham sravayati, Akshi bhruvam samkochayati, Dasanan harshayati, Roman harshayati Mukham vishyandayati, Kanta kapola vidahati, Annam prarochayati Visadayati vadanam, Visodhayati kanta, Rasanaam pratihanti Bhrisham udvejayatijihwagram, Chima chimayate kanta kapola, Sravayati mukha, Akshi, nasika; Vidahati deham Jadayati jihwa, Badhnati kanta, Pidayati hridayam Ashtangahrdaya Su.10 Vaktram anulimpati, Dehasya hladana, Aksha prasadana, Pipilika priya Kshalayate mukham, Danta harsha, Roma harsha, Akshi bhru nikochana Syandayati asya, Kapola gala daha krit Visadayati asyam, Rasanam pratihanti Udvejayati jihwagram, Chimachima karoti, Sravayati akshi, Nasa, asya; Kapola dahati Jadayati jihwa, Kanta sroto vibandhakrit 77

7 Sl no Symptoms Table 2- Number and % of volunteer response to symptoms- Positive response of volunteers in numbers 1 Besmears the mouth Feeling of unctuousness Pleasurable sensation in body Abundant saliva secretion thereby cleansing the mouth Tingling sensation of teeth Horripilations in skin Shrinking of eyebrows and lids Tongue and mouth gets moistened and soft Burning sensation in buccal cavity and throat Tingling sensation in tongue tip Burning sensation in tongue and oral cavity Salivation Secretion from eyes and nose Cleansing and drying the mouth Feeling of temporary loss of taste perception Feeling of stiffness in tongue Choking feeling in throat 0 0 Positive response of volunteers in % 78

8 Fig 1- Proforma- Conflict of Interest: None Declared Source of Support: None 79