Synthesis, characterization and histopathological study of a lead-based Indian traditional drug:Naga Bhasma

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to prepare and characterize Naga bhasma on structural and elemental basis to address the role of the raw materials used during the preparation, compound form of the lead bhasma, nature (crystalline/amorphous) and crystallite/particle size of the drug. The study also covers the toxicological effect of the drug on albino rats. It was found that drug contains lead in nano-crystalline (~60 nm) lead sulfide form (Pb2+) associated with the organic contents and different nutrient elements coming from the herbs used during the preparation. Naga bhasma prepared was found to be totally safe in histopathology study on rats at a dose of 6 mg/100 g/day. The different characterization techniques used present a role model for the quality control and standardization of such kinds of herbo-metallic medicines.

Comparative physicochemical evaluation of a marketed herbomineral formulation: Naga bhasma

“…All samples have micron size particles which get entrapped in the crevices of skin and are smooth in touch except some particles of formulations G and U. These analyses are in contrary to previous studies[9] which have reported that after preparing Naga bhasma in the laboratories of Department of Rasa Shastra , the particles were obtained as small as 60 nm. Formulations A and D contain particles within range of 2-52.5 μm which is in alignment to estimation reported earlier[14] whereas, formulations B, G and U contain particles as big as 104.7 μm, 248.9 μm and 176.0 μm.…”

“…Percentage of lead in formulations A, B, D, G and U are 1.5, 3.0, 2.0, 4.6 and 5.5% w/w, respectively which are quite variable and sufficient to affect the quality of a drug. However, previous studies suggest that Naga bhasma contains approximately 5% w/w of lead (Pb) when prepared in laboratory[914]. …”

“…and vaasa ( Adhatoda vasica Nees.) leaf[910]. It has traditionally been used to treat spleen enlargement, urinary disorders, hemorrhoids, bone wound, goitre, indigestion, inflammation of intestine, osteomalacia, diarrhea, dysentery, hyperacidity, diabetes, leukorrhea, blood disorders, infertility, chronic paralysis, oligospermia, regenerate germinal epithelium of testes and as potent revitalizer[11].…”

Detection of carbonaceous material in Naga Bhasma

“…However, in contrast to the other works on Bhasma medicine, the work first time suggests the presence of organic matters in Bhasma medicine, but remains short for their identification[10]. Present work is an extension of the previous work on Naga Bhasma which removes the above lacunae and addresses the role of natural precursors in detail and also gives science and mechanism behind such complex preparations.…”

“…Preparation procedure of the medicine is given in detail in our previous work on Naga Bhasma [10]. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were recorded in the 400-4000 cm -1 spectral region on Perkin Elmer, Spectrum RX-I spectrophotometer.…”