Pharmaceutical Standardization and Physicochemical Characterization of Traditional Ayurvedic Marine Drug: Incinerated Conch Shell (Shankha Bhasma)

Abstract

Natural resources such as plants, animals and minerals have always been used by mankind to develop drugs and marine world is no exception. Marine by-products like conches, pearls, mother of pearl shells, corals and so forth have been used by traditional Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries. The unique methods of these preparations are scientifically designed to eliminate unwanted impurities and convert them into bioavailable form. In this study, Conch (Xanchus pyrum) was used as a marine resource of calcium carbonate and was converted pharmaceutically from its aragonite form to calcite. All the steps of preparations and changes in the properties therein were documented and validated. Further, traditional as well as modern analytical tools were used to study its physical and chemical characters to develop a monograph. The physical characterization included particle size, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR). Metal composition and heavy metal limits were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES). This study revealed the rearrangement of aragonite crystals into calcite form by grinding, trituration with aloe vera juice and incineration under controlled conditions. Moreover, the finished product was found to be devoid of organic matrix that is nacre. This study creates a foundation for the development of a master formula for commonly used Shankha Bhasma in Ayurvedic medicines.

Pharmaceutical Standardization of Traditionally Prepared Lauha Bhasma Incinerated Iron, Characterised as Alpha Haematite

“…During every cycle, the triturated material was pelletized equally in 2 or 4 vessels. The assemblage of concealed earthen vessels was subjected to incineration as reported previously with slight modification [9] . Here, four patterns as 15:7.5, 18:9, 20:10 and 24:12 kg of cow dungs (below: above) were used.…”

In-process Profiling of Herbomineral Formulation from Marine Origin

“…Conch is known to have many properties like alkaline (kshariya), adsorbent (grahi) and cooling (sheetal). The Bhasma preparations have importance in maintaining optimum alkalinity for maintaining better health, and neutralizing harmful acids that leads to illness 3 Since Bhasma is stable and does not metabolize, the chances of producing harmful metabolite 9 is less. It further breaks down the heavy metals present in the body.…”

Prospective Application of Nanoparticles Green Synthesized Using Medicinal Plant Extracts as Novel Nanomedicines

“… 60 However, no correlation between A. vera and calcium carbonate has been experimentally demonstrated for the medical use of Shankh Bhasma . 58 , 61 Although organic compounds could be burnt out at higher temperatures used in Bhasma preparations, the presence of organic molecules has been observed in Naga Bhasma and this could be attributed to the organometallic complexes formed at various stages of Bhasma preparation and may be retained even at higher temperatures. 23 It is believed that Naga Bhasma acts as a carrier for the medicinal properties of various medicinal plants used in different stages of Bhasma preparation such as V. negundo, C. longa, A. indica and A. vasica .…”