Standardization of Naga Bhasma prepared by two different Bhavana Dravya. Ashish Verma M.Pharma(Ayu.), Ph.D Specialty: Rasashastra & Bhaisajya Kalpna
Introduction Pharmaceutical standardization is mandatory for batch to batch uniformity, reproducibility and for Good Manufacturing Practices. Naga Bhasma is one of the herbo-metallic preparation used in Ayurveda; a traditional Indian System of Medicine. Pharmaceutical preparation of Naga Bhasma (incinerated lead) involves thermal treatment of Naga (metallic lead) through a series of quenching in different liquids, followed by Putana (specified protocol of heating). It is claimed to possess broad spectrum of therapeutic efficacy.
Why this topic? Accumulated toxicity data on the hazardous effects of heavy metals have made health scientists afraid of heavy metals. Naga (Lead) is one of the heavy metal. In R.T. (19/44) Naga Bhasma is quoted as Pramehakarikeshari i.e. one of the most useful drug for the treatment of Prameha. In R.R.S. only latex of Calatropis procera has been mentioned as Bhavana dravya for preparation of Naga Bhasma but it is not possible to prepare Naga Bhasma with latex on large scale.
Cont... Leaves of Arka are available in plenty. So to overcome this problem the present study has been carried out for development of Standard Manufacturing Procedure of Naga Bhasma with two different Bhavana Dravya i.e. latex & leaf juice of Calatropis procera and Manahshila (Realgar) as a Maraka Dravya prepared without process of Jarana.
aims and objectives To establish Arka patra Swarasa as a substitute of Arka Dugdha for preparation of Naga Bhasma. To introduce SMP of Naga Bhasma prepared by two different methods and develop analytical profile.
Material and Methods The Standard manufacturing Procedure of Naga Bhasma prepared by 2 methods by changing Bhavana dravya were developed i.e. one with latex of Calatropis procera (NBAD) and another with leaf juice of Calatropis procera (NBAS). Shuddha Manahshila (Realgar) was taken as a Maraka Dravya (Drug facilitating process of preparation of Bhasma). Naga Bhasma was prepared by using classical guidelines described in Rasa Ratna Samuchhaya. Total 10 Puta are required for preparation of Naga Bhasma. Total three batches of each group were prepared by Shodhana followed by Marana.
Marana of Naga: This have been done in two samples which are as follows Sample A(NBAD): This sample will be prepared as per the reference of R.R.S. 5 / 1 8 4 Sample B(NBAS): This sample will be prepared as per the reference of Anubhuta vidhi. * NBAD- Naga Bhasma prepared with Arka dugdha *NBAS- Naga Bhasma prepared with Arka Patra Swarasa
Raw Naga Melting Dhalana Washing 1 st Puta Dried lead Sheets Levigation Shudha Naga Patra After 5 th Puta After 10 th Puta
Naga Bhasma Pariksha Classical Varna Rekhapurnata Varitaratva Unama Apunarbhava Nirutha Nischandrata Dantagre Kachakachabhava Nirdhumatva Avami Gatarasatva etc..
1) Varna: Colour of the Bhasma Depends up on the method of preparation. Clear indication of particular compound form of the metal / mineral Metal English Name Color of the Bhasma 1. Swarna Gold Champaka 2. Tara Silver Krishna (Black) 3. Tamra Copper Krisna (Black) 4. Kamsya Bronze Dhusara (Ash) 5. Naga Lead Paravata (Pigeon Color) 6. Vanga Tin Shubhra (White) 7. Loha Iron Jambu Phala (Black Berry) 8. Abhraka Mica Isthika (Brick Red)
2) Rekhapurnatva: i) Little amount of Bhasma is rubbed between thumb and index finger. ii) The particles of the Bhasma enters the ridges of the finger exclusively and don t come out. iii) It indicates that the Bhasma is incinerated properly. In other way, the test indicates the particle size of the Bhasma, which is the fundamental aspect for the therapeutic efficacy.
3) Varitaratva: 1. Little amount of Bhasma is sprinkled over the stagnant surface of pure water. 2. The particles of the Bhasma float clearly over the surface of water. 3. This test indicates the lightness of the incinerated metal. After proper incineration, the Bhasma particles become too light and they cannot break the surface tension of the stagnant water.
4) Unama: This test is for further confirmation of Varitara Test. A rice grain is placed gently over floating Bhasma. If the rice grain floats clearly over the layer of Bhasma, it indicates that the process of incineration is proper.
5) Apunarbhava: 1. Equal amount of Bhasma and Mitrapanchaka are mixed together to form a uniform mixture. 2. Chakrika is made from this mixture and placed in to a Graphite crucible and heated using a burner till all organic matter burnt out. 3. After self-cooling the material from the musha is collected and examined for the presence of free metal. [1] [2] [3]
6. Nirutha: 5 g of Bhasma and 1 g of pure Silver are taken in Musha & subjected to heat. Weight of silver is seen after self-cooling.
7. Nischandratva The natural luster of the metal should not be there in incinerated stage. Presence of luster indicates that the process is not complete. This test is particularly applicable in case of Abhraka Bhasma.
Quantity of ingredients used for Shodhana Sr. no Ingredients Latin / English Qty/batch Total quantity name 1 Ashuddha Naga (kg) Lead 1 3 2 Tila Taila (l) Sesamum indicum Linn. 3 9 3 Takra (l) Butter milk 3 9 4 Kanji (l) Sour gruel 3 9 5 Go Mutra (l) Cows urine 3 9 6 Kulattha Kwatha (l) Dolichos biflorus Linn. 3 9 7 Churnodaka(l) Lime Water 7 49
Organoleptic characters of Naga Bhasma Sr. No. Parameters NBAD NBAS 1 Shabda No metallic sound No metallic sound 2 Sparsha No course particle No course particle 3 Rupa Grey colour Grey colour 4 Rasa Tasteless Tasteless 5 Gandha Not specific Not specific
Pharmaceutical observations Comparison of results of Naga Bhasma prepared by two different methods Parameters NBAD (Batch size-300 g) NBAS (Batch size-500 g) Avg. wt. of Naga Bhasma (g) 337.73 592.78 Avg. increase in wt. (g) 37.73 92.78 % of increase in wt. (%) 12.57 18.55 Results of the physicochemical analysis of Naga Bhasma: Sr. Parameter Naga Bhasma(NBAD) Naga Bhasma(NBAS) No. 1 I II III I II III 2 Loss on drying at 105ºC 0.48 0.39 0.32 0.24 0.19 0.14 3 Ash value 99.95 99.90 99.90 99.90 99.95 99.85 4 Acid insoluble ash 6.4 5.98 5.62 16.58 16.71 16.45 5 ph 8.29 8.22 8.87 6.12 6.46 6.34
ICP-AES Analysis
Ayurvedic Pharmacology A Potent poison become best drug on proper administration. On the contrary, even the best drug becomes poison if used incorrectly. C. S., Su.- 1:126
Conclusion Although Naga Bhasma was prepared, early by latex of Calatropis procera and the Bhasma was comparatively better on basis of organoleptic characteristics, the study denotes that equal number of Puta i.e.10 Puta are sufficient for preparation of Naga Bhasma with both liquid media (latex and leaf juice of Calatropis procera ) without process of jarana and there were insignificant differences in pharmaceutical and analytical studies of Naga Bhasma prepared by either methods. However alternative method of Naga Marana with Leaf juice of Calatropis procera without Jarana may be preferred over Naga Marana by latex of Calotropis procera in view of large scale industrial production, economy and effort. Drugs prepared following Ayurvedic guidelines are safe, if used judiciously.