Abstract

PHARMACEUTICO-ANALYTICAL STUDY OF RASATALESHWAR RASA AND ITS IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY ON A431 SKIN CANCER CELL LINE

Dr. Punam Jaiswal*, Dr. Shardul Chavan

Abstract

Skin cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise due to increasing exposure to environmental and lifestyle-related risk factors. Despite advances in modern oncology, the search for safe and effective therapeutic agents remains an important area of research. Ayurveda describes several herbo-mineral formulations for the management of skin disorders, among which Rasataleshwar Rasa, a classical formulation mentioned in Rasendrachintamani, is indicated in skin conditions such as Vicharchika (eczema), Kandu (pruritus), and Kitibha (psoriasis). Considering the association between chronic inflammatory skin disorders and increased risk of skin malignancies, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the anticancer potential of Rasataleshwar Rasa. Aim: To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity of Rasataleshwar Rasa against the A431 human skin carcinoma cell line. Materials and Methods: Rasataleshwar Rasa was prepared according to the classical method described in Rasendrachintamani and subjected to analytical evaluation. Its in vitro cytotoxic activity against the A431 skin carcinoma cell line was assessed using a standard cell viability assay, and the percentage of cell inhibition was determined at different concentrations. Results: Rasataleshwar Rasa exhibited concentrationdependent cytotoxic activity against the A431 skin carcinoma cell line, with a progressive decrease in cell viability at increasing concentrations. The analytical evaluation further confirmed the quality and standardization of the prepared formulation. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Rasataleshwar Rasa possesses significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against A431 skin carcinoma cells and may serve as a potential complementary therapeutic agent for skin cancer. Further studies are required to establish its mechanism of action, safety, and clinical efficacy.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Rasashastra, Rasataleshwar Rasa, Skin Cancer, A431 Cell Line, Cytotoxic Activity.