Phitkari (Alum) is a very renowned and useful drug in Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a drug of mineral origin, found in the form of crystals resembling to salt. It is called Zaj-e-Abyaz in Arabic and Shibb-e-Yamani in Persian, and Alum in English. It is a very ancient medicine; first time Alum was prepared in Bilade Mashriqiya (Asian countries). The earliest surviving discussions of Phitkari in the literature of antiquity are the works of the Greek physician Dioscorides. Arab physicians especially Razi discussed it in details. Razi included Alum among the types of vitriol, probably due to the similarities in their astringent qualities and mode of occurrence in his Book of Secrets (Kitab al-asrar). It is used as antiseptic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, hemostyptic. It is also used in many compound formulations in various dosage forms. In this paper, Alum is reviewed for its pharmacological and physicochemical properties due to its importance and beneficent medical indications.
Introduction:Kushta of Shangarf (KS) is in therapeutic use since long time in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine. It requires extensive assessment with respect to its safety and processing because of the presence of mercury. KS prepared with Shangarf (HgS), Phitkari (alum), and Jozbua (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) was selected for the study. It is indicated as tonic, increases blood production, and improves complexion of face. Preparation of KS by classical and contemporary method and its comparative physicochemical analysis was attempted in this work.Materials and Methods:Kushta was prepared by incinerating the drugs kept inside Buta in Bhatti with 24kg of Uple (cow-dung cakes) and also in muffle furnace. Samples obtained were evaluated by Unani specifications (test), powder characterizations, loss on drying, pH, ash value, solubility, particle size, and qualitative estimation of organic and inorganic constituents, X-ray diffraction (XRD), quantitative estimation by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and so on.Results:Physicochemical standards set in were comparable in KS prepared by classical method (KSCM) and in KS prepared by muffle furnace method (KSMFM), except water-soluble ash and solubility in water were found slightly more in KSMFM. XRD study revealed the presence of aluminum oxide phase and absence of mercury in both the samples. Quantitative estimation of elements in both the samples in decreasing order are as follows: sulfur > aluminum > calcium > iron > arsenic. Arsenic was found more than iron in KSCM at parts per million level.Conclusion:Preliminary understanding suggests that muffle furnace method could be a better option with respect to safety and ease of preparation. Shangarf incinerated above 900°C with Phitkari and Jaiphal did not show presence of mercury in both the samples, indicating KS prepared by incinerating at higher temperature can be safer than unroasted preparation. Studied formulation can be recommended or used for its indications without the concern of mercury toxicity.
The Mudabbar (detoxification) process of Murdarsang was done by powdering 100 gm of Murdarsang with Sheer-e-Madar (Milk-weed, Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R. Br. ex. Ait.) with the help of Mortar and Pestle manually and filtered through muslin cloth ; two Tola (24 gm) of Murdarsang and fresh Sheer-e-Madar as per need (about five ml) was
Background and Objectives:Mudabbar/Tadbeere advia is referred to the processes performed on the drugs to detoxify, purify, and enhance therapeutic action and to reduce its doses before making the formulations in Unani medicine. It improves quality of drugs either by optimizing its desirable characteristics or minimizing the undesirable ones; it makes drug effective, safe, and specific. There is a need of comparative evaluation to understand its significance. Tadbeer of Kharekhasak (KK) khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn. fruit) is described by Rabban Al-Tabari in Firdausul Hikmat, Akbar Arzani in Qarabadeene Qadri, etc., during the compounding of aphrodisiac formulations. Mudabbar Kharekhasak (MKK) used in Safoofe Kharekhasak mentioned in Al-Qarabadeene was evaluated in this work.Methods:Mudabbar/Tadbeer process was carried out by blending fresh KK. Juice with powdered dry KK and drying it under the sun. Juice used for process is thrice the weight of dry KK powder. The KK before and after the process was evaluated using physicochemical tests: powder characterization, extractive value, alcohol and water soluble matter, ash value, loss on drying (LOD) at 105°C, pH, high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting, and diosgenin content.Results:Powder characterizations were set in. Increase in successive and nonsuccessive extractive values in various solvents, water/alcohol-soluble content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, and sulfated ash of MKK was noted in comparison with KK. Decrease in LOD at 105°C and pH of MKK powder was observed. HPTLC fingerprinting data were developed for the identification and evaluation. Quantification of diosgenin content increased to 432.1 g/g in MKK as compared to 144.5 g/g in KK, suggesting significant increase in saponin content.Conclusion:Data obtained clearly indicated changes in MKK validating the classical Mudabbar process, probably to enhance/modify the action of drug. Standards for crude and MKK were established for future reference.SUMMARY Mudabbar process on Tribulus terrestris Linn (KK) havebeen validated.Physicochemical data for Mudabbar and non mudabbar Kharekhasak (KK) powder have been set in.Diosgenin content was increased significantly in mudabbar KK. Abbreviations Used: KK: Kharekhasak, TT: Tribulus terrestris, MKK: mudabbar Kharekhasak, SK: Safoofe Kharekhasak, LOD: loss of weight on drying, HPTLC: High performance thin layer chromatography, BSS: British standard sieve, μl: microliter, SEM: Standard error of mean, nm: nanometer, g: gram.
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