Abstract

CHARACTERIZATION OF SWARNMAKSHIKA BHASMA USING STATE OF THE ART TECHNIQUES

Vaidya Meghna* and Upadhyay Abhishek

Abstract

Bhasmas are unique therapeutics of ayurveda. They are metallomedicines of nano to submicron particle size prepared through classical process of shodhana (purification) & marana (calcination). Swarnmakshika bhasma, a potent rasayana drug is also used in the management of pandu (anemia), insomnia, apasmara (~convulsion disorders), kustha (skin diseases) mandagni (poor digestion), etc. In the present study Swarnmakshika bhasma was prepared through classical method of shodhana, marana and the final product i.e. SM bhasma was characterized using ancient parameters of bhasma examination and modern state of the art techniques such as FTIR, XRD, ICP, PSA, SEM. It was observed that bhasma was mixture of organic, metallic and organo-metallic moieties having particle size in microns. The raw SM was chemically chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) whereas different phases identified in the XRD of final product include Fe2O3, FeS2, copper sulphide (CuS) and SiO2 which indicate changed chemical nature of final product. The particle size of bhasma ranged from1.82μm to 88.54 μm with a mean volumetric diameter of 16.58 μm. ICP and FTIR confirmed the presence of inorganic molecules, organic molecules, organic functional groups and various bonds including metal-carbon bonds in the bhasma indicating towards its organometallic nature.

Keywords: Bhasma, Swarnmakshika, Nanoparticle, ICP, FTIR, XRD, Organometallic.