HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS OF IRU NELLI KARPAM A SIDDHA MEDICINE FOR SKIN DISORDERS.

Transcription

1 HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS OF IRU NELLI KARPAM A SIDDHA MEDICINE FOR SKIN DISORDERS. Thomas M. Walter*, N. S. Priya Devi, S. Thanalakshmi, S. Merish, M. Sathya Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu. siddhaphysician@gmail.com Key words: Iru Nelli Karpam, Herbo-mineral medicine, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Kanthagam (Sulphur). ABSTRACT Kaya Karpa medicines find a special place in Traditional Siddha Medicine. These medicines especially when they are from Herbo-mineral origin are enriched with anti-oxidant principles etc. Iru nelli karpam, a herbo-mineral medicine containing Sulphur (Kanthagam) processed with the juice of Phyllanthus emblica (Nellikai) is widely used for treating skin disorders. Nellikai kanthagam and Nellikai are the two ingredients used in this preparation and hence the name, Iru Nelli Karpam. Theriyar compares Kanthagam with a mother nurturing her child. Nellikai, one among the Thiripala is a well known Karpam. This medicine was prepared as per the Standard Operative Procedures (SOP) and subjected to Heavy metal analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The results indicate the presence of Sulphur, Iron, Manganese, Copper and Lead. The results along with their biological importance are being discussed in this paper. INTRODUCTION The incidence of skin diseases are on the rise and it is a real concern to find a remedy that is safe, potential, time-tested and without any drastic side effects. Skin diseases are classified under Kuttam in Siddha and they are 18 in number. Sirangu (Scabies) is one of the important skin diseases being countered in day-to-day clinical practice. Scabies occurs worldwide regardless of age, sex, race, socio-economic status or standards of personal hygiene. Cyclical epidemics occur at intervals of 10 to 15 years. Outbreaks may frequently occur in childcare centres and kindergartens, and are also reported in nursing homes and institutions. Scabies is more likely to spread in situations of overcrowding. The Siddha medicine, Iru Nelli Karpam has been advocated for the treatment of Scabies often with very

2 good results. Since this comes under Karpam category, it can also be given for both Prophylactic and Therapeutic purposes. MATERIALS & METHODS The drug Iru Nelli Karpam was prepared as per the reference found in Siddha Formulary of India 1 (SFI 1) at the Gunapadam lab of Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai. The ingredients are Purified Nellikai Kanthagam (Sulphur) 1 part and Nellikai charu (Juice of Phyllanthus emblica) 2 parts. Table 1. Information about the ingredients of Iru Nelli Karpam. S.No Common name (Tamil name) 1. Sulphur (Nellikai kandhagam) Botanical name/ Chemical name Sulphur (S) Phytochemistry/ Chemistry Organo sulphur compounds like methionine, Diphenyl sulfide, Dibenzothio phene, R-cysteine, Vitamins (Biotin,Thiamine) Keratin, Amino acids (Methionine,Cysteine) Lipoic acid. Uses in Siddha 18 types of skin disorders, Indigestion, Hepatomegaly, Ascites & APD Medicine Kanthaga Parpam, Kanthaga Sudar thailam (ext. use) Ayakandha chendooram (AKC), Aarumuga chendooram (ARC). 2. The Indian Gooseberry (Nellikai) Phyllanthus emblica Emblicanin A, Emblicanin B, Punigluconin, Pedunculagin, Emblicol, Curcuminoids, Tannins, Rutin & Phenolic compounds Anti-emetic Hypertension Menorrhagia Oliguria Tuberculosis APD Anaemia Bronchial asthma Jaundice Nellikai legiyam Nellikai thailam Nelli kudineer Adjuvant: Honey Dosage: 200 mg, twice daily after food. Indications: Sori, Sirangu (Itching & Scabies). Precaution / Contra-indication: Nothing Specific.

3 Reference: Department of AYUSH, (Drug Control Cell), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Essential Drugs List (EDL) Siddha. March ISBN: RESULTS The trial drug, Iru Nelli Karpam was subjected to Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) at the Quality Control (QC) Lab of Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Ltd (SPIC), Tuticorin, Tamilnadu and the results are tabulated below: Table 2. Heavy Metal analysis of Iru Nelli Karpam Characteristics UoM S 3 (Iru nelli karpam) Iron (Fe) Ppm 2700 Manganese(Mn) ppm 178 Nickel (Ni) Ppm NT Zinc (Zn) Ppm NT Copper (Cu) Ppm 1900 Cadmium(Cd) Ppm NT Cobalt (Co) Ppm NT Lead (Pb) Ppm 871 Sulphur (S) % Abbreviations used: Ppm Particle per million, NT Not Traceable, UoM Unit of Measurement. DISCUSSION In Siddha Materia Medica, Kaya Karpa drugs always find a special place because of its ability to be both Prophylactic and Therapeutic in nature, which is the ideal requirement of any medicine. In that way, Iru Nelli Karpam being a Herbo-mineral medicine having Nellikai Kanthagam and Nellikai as its ingredients is being widely used for treating Sori and Sirangu (Itching & Scabies). Since this is an internal medicine, information about its Heavy

4 metal contents naturally aroused interest for the Authors of this paper, who in turn subjected it to AAS analysis. The results confirmed the presence of Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Sulphur (S). Table 3. Biological role of the metals and trace elements in Human Body. Serial No Metal / Trace element. Biological role in Human Body. 1 Iron (Fe) Carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Maintains a healthy immune system. Aids energy production. 2 Manganese (Mn) Helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. 3 Copper (Cu) This micronutrient is necessary for the proper growth, development, and maintenance of bone, connective tissue, brain, heart, and many other body organs. 4 Lead (Pb) Although scientific studies state that lead is of little value to human, Siddha literatures state it to be a very useful element having astringent, germicidal, stomachic and diuretic properties. 5 Sulphur (S) It is a minor constituent of fats, body fluids, and skeletal minerals. Sulphur is a key component in most proteins since it is contained in the amino acids methionine and cysteine. CONCLUSION We are not going to discover anything new. It is going to be the re-discoveries of what is already stated in our Traditional Siddha Literatures. In that way, Iru Nelli Karpam which has been in use from time immemorial for dermatological conditions exhibit very

5 essential metals and elements for maintaining the well being of Humans which is evident through the present study. So, it is really a blessing for us to be part of this Divine, Holistic and Scientific Siddha Community. ACKNOWLEDGMENT 1. The Authors thankfully acknowledge the Management and Staff of Quality Control (QC) Lab of Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Ltd (SPIC), Tuticorin, Tamilnadu. 2. Sincere thanks are due to all those who helped in preparing this paper. REFERENCES 1. Department of AYUSH, (Drug Control Cell), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Essential Drugs List (EDL) Siddha. ISBN: March Dr. R. Thiyagarajan, LIM, Gunapadam Thathu Jeeva Vaguppu Sixth edition, published by Directorate of Indian Medicine and Hoemopathy, Chennai, India. (2006) 3. Dr. Murugesa Muthaliar, Siddha Materia Medica (Vegetable section), Volume I, Fourth edition, Publisher; Tamilnadu Siddha Medical Council, Chennai. (1988) assessed on 08/01/2014.