Abstract

Dr. Amrutha Shivaji G.*, Dr. Sulochana Rathod, Dr. Usha M. and Dr. Ravi R. Chavan

ABSTRACT

Background: Bhasma are the metallic preparations obtained by the process known as Marana. Marana involves trituration with herbal drugs followed by Pelletization and subjecting to the graded heat which is repeated till Bhasma siddhi lakshana. Bhasma literally means the one which has lost the lustre. Rajata bhasma is useful in conditions like Prameha, Madatyaya, Visha Vikara, Jeerna jwara, Plihodara, Kshaya, Naadi shula, Apasmara, Udararoga. Methods: Crude Rajata was procured from local jeweller. Rajata Samanya and Vishesha Shodhana and later Marana using Parada, Gandhaka, Haratala help in the reduction of Rajata dhatu to nano form and hence enhance its therapeutic efficacy. Ancient parameters like Rekhapoorna, Varitara, Uttama, Nirdhuma, Niruttha, Apunarbhava tests were performed. Characterisation of Rajata Bhasma was done using sophisticated instruments like Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction, ZETAPALS and Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy. Results: Zeta-Pals reported the particle size to be 526 nm. This reduction in particle size was further confirmed by SEM. EDX revealed concentrations to be Ag-32.68 %, S-48.01 % & Mg-17.5 %. FTIR revealed the presence of organic groups like Alkenes, Alkynes and Carboxylic acids. Conclusion: Rajata bhasma was prepared in five Laghu puta which fulfilled the classical Bhasma pariksha revalidated by the sophisticated instrumentation.