Assessment of Rasa (taste) of Non-classical drugs- A Pharmacodynamic Principle

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1 Abstract Research Hypothesis Assessment of Rasa (taste) of Non-classical drugs- A Pharmacodynamic Principle Nishteswar Karra Dravyaguna department, I.P.G.T.&R.A, Jamnagar, Gujarat Corresponding author s nishteswar@yahoo.co.in Ayurveda refers that every Dravya is constituted by five elements i.e. Prithvi (earth), Ap (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Akasha (ether). General principles of Drug action are enumerated as Rasapanchaka i.e. Rasa (taste), Guna (quality), Virya (potency), Vipaka (metabolism) and Prabhava (specific principle). Among them the first four principles are categorized under rational principles while Prabhava is designated as empirical component as its activity is inexplicable. CharakaSamhita (1000 BC) has furnished the assessment of these principles in brief Rasa of Dravya (food/drug) is known by direct perception;vipaka can only be inferred from its action. As regardsvirya it may sometimes be inferred from its actions on the body and also be known by direct perception Rasa is identified at tongue level and it depends on individual s perception. Rasa serves as a tool to infer the Panchabhautika composition of the Dravya and facilitates for identification of spectrum of activity of a particular drug. Acharyas of Ayurveda furnished certain characteristics of individual Rasas along with their actions on the body. Since this principle s identification depends solely on the individual s ability to perceive it, a structured proforma is developed to assess the Rasa of non-classical drugs from Ayurvedic perspectives in healthy volunteers. Key words: Assessment of rasa, Non-classical drugs Annals Ayurvedic Med.:3 (1-2) Introduction In Ayurvedic classics, the concept of health and disease was explained in the light of Tridoshas(three bio-humors) i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The state of equilibrium of Tridoshas maintains the healthy state of the body and imbalance engenders the diseases [1]. Rasa of the drug helps in the selection of the drug to address the pathogenesis of various diseases [2]. Charaka laid emphasis on the importance of Rasa in therapeutics. He quotes that a physician, well acquainted with classification of Rasa and Dosha, seldom commitsblunder in ascertaining the etiology (Hetu), Symptomatology (Linga) and treatment (Upasanti) of diseases [3].The knowledge of the classification of both the tastes (Rasavikalpajnana) and Doshas (Doshavikalpajnana) helps in prescribing effective treatment of diseases. Chakrapani, commentator of Charakasamhita opines that drugs and diets having particular tastes cause diseases and if administered with due care, they can also cure diseases [4]. Agnivesha quotes that the body as well diseases are caused by food. Wholesome and unwholesome food is responsible for happiness and misery respectively. Charaka also observed that regular intake of diet consisting of all (six) tastes promotes the strength of the body while regular intake of food predominantly having only one Rasa (Ekarasabhyasa) causes weakness [5]. Classification of drugs based on the Rasa and its activities was also furnished in Ayurvedic classics [6]. Drugs are many and similarly their activities are also many in numbers, but still the six Rasa (Madhura, Amla, Lavana, Katu, Tikta and Kashaya) are categorized into 63 varieties (by their permutations and combinations). These 63 combinations are helpful to treat diseases caused by 63 combinations of Doshas [7]. Sushruta quotes that drugs are inferred by taste (Rasenahyanumee-yatedravyam) for their probable actions [8]. E.g. Dravyas possessing tastes such as sweet, sour, salt alleviate Vata. All the five Mahabhutas are present in all the six Rasas, but the manifestation of the various Rasas depends on the predominance or otherwise of the qualities of one or more of the Mahabhutas. For example, Jalamahabhuta is the root cause of all the six Rasas, but it predominates in sweet Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-3 Issue-1-2 Jan.-June, 29

2 taste. The predominance or otherwise of five Mahabhutas in turn depends on the six seasonal variations and this in turn brings about manifestations of various Rasas. Chakrapani observes that manifestation of Rasas takes place due to imperceptiblefactors [9]. As a matter of fact, the predominance of Mahabhutas is responsible for seasonal variations and vice-versa. This interdependence may be compared to seed and embryo. Certain efforts have been made during the last quarter of 20 th century to develop objective methodology for the assessment of Rasa. Prof C. Dwarakanath introduced the application of taste threshold experiments for identification as well as understanding the intensity of taste of Ayurvedic drugs which was explained by Philip H Mitchell in his book, General Physiology [10] On these lines, Prof SC Dhyani conducted experiments on 150 well known Ayurvedic drugs wherein taste of each drug was first assessed by healthy volunteers and then the taste threshold test was conducted to determine the intensity of taste of these drugs. [11] Phyto constituents in plants have also been used as marker compounds to quantify the intensity of certain tastes in food industry. [12] Preliminary attempts applying TLC and HPTLC techniques have been evolved in characterizing rasa using a few Ayuvedic drugs. Methods were evolved to separate Amlarasa (sour) [13], Tiktarasa (bitter) [14] and Kashayarasa (astringent) [15] fractions of drugs through TLC to get botanical reference material (BRM) for the studied drugs, however the R f (retention factor) value did not show complete similarity and dependability with the selected similarly 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). Direct taste perception method was followed in a recent study to determine Rasaof a folklore medicine, Curcuma neilgherrensis Wight used to treat Diabetes mellitus. [16] There are ongoing research studies to replace human tongue with electronic tongue and simultaneous application of electronic nose for identifying taste. [17] Some previous studies have also drawn attention to the Ayurvedic concept of use of rasa for drug identification, drug action, new drug discovery [18] and a recent study on the ayurvedic concept of abhavapratinidhidravya(drug substitution) establishes that similarity in rasa could be used as one of the tools to establish substitute drugs. [19] Studies have already reported that natural sources of medicinal plant are unable to meet the demand for popular herbal products. [20] Hence there is a compelling need to search for less known plants with multiple uses reported in ethnomedicine and incorporate it after thorough screening into popular use. The information recorded in Ayurvedic classics about phyto-medicinal formulations clearly indicates that Acharyas of Ayurveda had utilized the source of ethno medicine. [21] Materials &methods: The information about Rasa recognition described in Ayurvedic classics (Charakasamhita [22], Sushrutasamhita [23], Ashtangasamgraha [24] and Ashtangahridaya [25] ) are compiled and analyzed systematically in terms of their activity locally as well systemicallyto formulate a structured proforma. Results All classical texts mentioned very precise symptoms for identification of Taste. Enumeration of one character for more than one taste are found for many Rasas i.e. Saliva secretion for Amla and Lavana; softness (Mardava) for Madhura and Lavana; Cleansing of mouth (Mukhavaishadhya) for Katu, Tikta and Kashaya; Burning sensation (Vidaha) for Amla, Lavana and Katu; Pleasure to body (Prahlada) for Madhura and Tikta. A critical analysis is required while dealing with similar characters. Total 8, 10, 7, 8, 7, and 7 symptoms were found for Madhura, Amla, Lavana, Katu, Tikta and Kashaya Rasa. Maximum characters for Madhura, Lavana, Tikta and Kashaya were mentioned by Acharya Charaka i.e. 5, 5, 6 and 5 respectively. Maximum characters i.e. 7, for Amla Rasa were enumerated by VriddhaVagbhatta. All Acharyas mentioned four characters for Katu Rasa which are not uniform in nature In the procedure of final draftingof proformathe subjective characters of Rasa which could be recognized immediately when put to tongue and mouth are listed for each Rasa. The symptoms like Besmear s the mouth (Vaktramanulimpati), Feeling of unctuousness (Snehana), Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-3 Issue-1-2 Jan.-June, 30

3 Table 1: Symptoms of taste perception mentioned in classical texts Tastes Symptoms CharakaSamhita SushrutaSamhita AshtangaSamgraha AshtagaHridaya Madhura Unctuousness (Snehana) + Deliciousness (Prinana) + Pleasure to body (Alhadana) Softness (Mardava) + Coating mouth & tongue (Anulepana) Sense of Satisfaction (Paritosha) + Give pleasure to sense organ (Akshaprasadana) + + savor or pleasant (Aswadhya) + + Amla Setting of tooth on edges (Dantaharsha) saliva secretion (Mukhasrava) Sweating (Swedana) + Burning in mouth and throat (AsyaKanthaVidaha) + + Increase food desire (Bodhana/Shraddha) + + Piloeraction (Romaharsha) + + Closing of eye and eyebrow (Akshi-bhru-nikochana) + + Urodaha + Tongue irritation (Jihvaudwejana) + Lavana Dissolve stickiness, moistness (Praliyan Kleda) + + (Mardavaapadayati) Increase liquidity (Vishyanda) + Softness (Mardava) + Burning of mouth (Mukhvidaha) + Saliva secretion (Asyasravayati) Increase savor in food + + Burning in cheeks and throat (Kapola-gala daha) + + Katu Irritation (tingling) and intense pain in tongue (SamvejayarasanaTudativa) Burning in mouth (Mukhavidaha) + + Watering in nose and eyes (NasakshiSansravi) + + (Nasasrava) + + Clean the mouth (Vaktrashodhayati) + Tingling of cheeks and throat (chimchimayate) + + Uneasiness (Udvega) + Headache (Sirograha) + Burning whole body (Dehavidaha) + Tikta Weaken the other taste perception (Rasanampratihanti) Cleanness of mouth (Mukhavaishadhya) Dryness of mouth (Shosa) + Delightfulness or Pleasure to body (Prahlada) + Dislikable (Arochishnu) + Increase savor in food (Bhaktaruchi) + + Piloeraction (Harsha) + Sore throat (Galachosa) + + (Kantha-vishodhana) Kashaya Cleanness of mouth (Vaishadya) + Stiffness of tongue (Stambha) + Immobilization of tongue (Jadya) Obstruction in the throat (Kanthabadhnativa) Choking in heart region (HridayaVikasanashila) + Dryness of mouth (VaktraParishosha) + Drawing and pressing sensation of heart region (HridayakarshatiPidayati) + + Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-3 Issue-1-2 Jan.-June, 31

4 Pleasurable sensation in body (Prahladayati) are identifiable characters of Madhurarasa (sweet taste). Abundant saliva secretion thereby cleansing the mouth (Mukhasrava, Kshalayatemukham), 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 get moistened and creating a feeling of softness (Mardavamapadayati), Burning sensation in buccal cavity and throat (Kapolagaladahakrit) are symptoms of Lavana Rasa (salt taste). Tingling sensation at the tip of the tongue (Udvejayatijihwagram), Burning sensation in tongue and oral cavity (Vidaha in mukha), Salivation (Sravayatimukha), Secretion from eyes and nose Table 2 : Total number of symptoms mentioned in classical texts Tastes Total symptoms Charaka Samhita Sushruta Samhita Ashtanga Samgraha Ashtaga Hridaya Madhura Amla Lavana Katu Tikta Kashaya (Sravayatiakshi, nasa) are produced by Katu Rasa (pungent taste). Cleansing and drying the mouth (Visadayatiasyam), Feeling of temporary loss of taste perception (Rasanaampratihanti) is the identifiable characters for Tikta Rasa (bitter taste). Feeling of stiffness in tongue (Jadayatijihwa), Choking feeling in throat (Kantambadhnati) 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. Table 3: Final proforma for taste determination Sl. No. Symptoms Yes if present Indicated Rasa 1 Besmears the mouth Madhura 2 Feeling of unctuousness Madhura 3 Pleasurable sensation in body Madhura 4 Abundant saliva secretion thereby cleansing the mouth Amla 5 Tingling sensation and horripilations in teeth Amla 6 Shrinking of eyebrows and lids Amla 7 Tongue and mouth gets moistened and soft Lavana 8 Burning sensation in buccal cavity and throat Lavana 9 Stimulation of tongue tip Katu 10 Burning sensation on tongue Katu 11 Watering from mouth, eyes and nose Katu 12 Cleansing and drying the mouth Tikta 13 Feeling of temporary loss of taste perception Tikta 14 Feeling of stiffness in tongue and tongue becomes dull to taste perception Kashaya 15 Choking feeling in throat Kashaya Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-3 Issue-1-2 Jan.-June, 32

5 Table 4: List of drugs assessed for determination of Rasa Sr. No. Drugs obtained Rasa 1 Pseudobulb of Bulbophyllum neilgherrense Wt [26] Madhura, Lavana 2 Whole plant of Leonotis nepetifolia(l.) R. BR. (Granthiparni?) [27] Tikta, Kashaya, Katu, 3 Aspidium cicutarium SW (Kukkutnakhi) [28] Kashaya, Tikta, Madhura 4 Leaves powder of Leucas cephalotes (Dronapushpi) [29] Tikta, Katu 5 Leaves powder of Leucas aspera (Dronapushpi) [30] Tikta, Katu This structured proforma has been used for determination of taste of non-classical drugs like Pseudobulb of Bulbophyllumneilgherrense Wt., whole plant of Leonotis nepetifolia(l.) R. BR.andrhizome of Aspidium cicutarium, and classical drugs like leaves powder of Leucas aspera and Leucas cephalotes,at IPGT&RA, GAU, Jamnagar. Results obtained were mentioned in table no. 4. Discussion In a nutshell, it is not always possible to predict action of the drug basing on Rasa. Similarly Veerya, a principle causative factor for generating action cannot be predicted based on Rasa. Rasa is useful to identify certain Gunas (Veerya) Viz. Snigdha-Ruksha, Guru-Laghu, Sheeta- Ushna of the Dravya and indirectly helps to determine Panchabhautika constitution and metabolism (Vipaka) of the Dravya. It is through Nipata (Contact with the tongue) Rasa is assessed. Rasa s characteristics are documented throughits local reaction on tongue [31] and buccal mucosa, reflex reactions on sensory organs like nose, eyes and systemic actions like Balya, Jeevaniya, Brihmaniya, Deepaniya, Hridya, Preenana, Pachana, Bhedana, Margavishodhana, Shoshana, Lekhana, Sodhana, Sthamabhana, Ropana etc.certain actions are enumerated on Doshasand diseases like Murchha, Vrana, Krimi, Kandu and Raktapitta engendering due to vitiation of doshas. All the characteristics attributed to Rasa are in fact belonging to Dravya only. Rasa assessment primarily is judged on the basis of immediate local reactions and systemic effects can be assessed when the Dravya undergoes metabolism leading to synthesis of potent Gunas (Veerya) by Kayagnipaka (Vipaka). Keeping these observations in view a structured proforma is developed for assessment of Rasa. It is useful in evaluation ofthe characteristics of rasa by the volunteer who cannot name the Rasa of the drugs, and helps in unbiased assessment by avoiding identificationof it based on the memory registered. In Final drafting, those characters were selected which are practically important, identical in nature and easy to recognize. Those symptoms and characters are not included in final draft which is hard to define and recognize because it may lead to ambiguity and controversy for example Hridaya Karshati Pidayati for Kashaya Rasa, Preenana for Madhura etc. For overlapped characters, it will be considered for that taste where at least one of the identical characters found present. Taste of test sample will be finalized based on total percentage referred to that taste. Maximum % of recognized characters of taste will be considered as a Pradhana Rasa for given sample and another taste/s may be considered as Anurasa. Conclusion: Present study is to demonstrate the feasibility of using characteristics described in Ayurvedic texts as a simple and easily adoptable method amongst trained Ayurvedic physicians for preliminary identification of Rasaof nonclassical medicinalplant. This structured proforma facilitates for evaluating Rasain an unbiased manner. An individual who is not aware of the identification of six Rasas based on characteristics of individual Rasas enumerated in Ayurvedic classic can also participate in Rasa evaluation. Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine Vol-3 Issue-1-2 Jan.-June, 33

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