A Brief Review of Naga (Lead) through Rasaratna Samucchaya

Krushnkumar Taviad1*, Shweta Vekariya2, Prashant Bedarkar3

and Patgiri BJ4

Research-Savli, Vadodara -India

Email: drkrishnat@gmail.com

Grahani (Malabsorption syndrome), Arsha (Haemorrhoids).

samuchchaya.

efficacy of Naga bhasma is discussed on the basis of available data.

minimum 0.47% to maximum 66.66% in formulations.

area of education and research.

Keywords: Ayurveda; Lead; Naga Bhasma; Rasaratna Samuchchaya; Rasashastra

Introduction

Rasa Shastra (subject dealing with Ayurvedic drug manufacturing and confirming their safety and efficacy) is enriched with description of metallic/mineral origin of raw materials, their varieties, characteristics, manufacturing techniques, properties, therapeutic uses, possibilities of developing adverse effects and their management in a comprehensive way. The well‑known metals frequently used in Ayurveda include mercury (Parada), gold (Swarna), silver (Rajata), copper (Tamra), iron (Lauha), tin (Vanga), lead (Naga), and zinc (Yasada) [1]. Various Samskaras (processing) like Shodhana (preliminary process of eliminating unwanted substances), Jarana (roasting with herbs), Marana (incineration) etc. converts macro, rocky and toxic metallic/mineral materials into suitable therapeutic dosage form that is popularly known as Bhasma, and this assures the safety regarding its intended use to the patients [1]. These formulations are more popular in therapeutics because of its smaller dose, palatability, shelf life, and efficacy [2]. Rasaratna Samuccaya (RRS) a 13th century C.E. alchemical treatise, authored by Vagbhaṭacharya, throws light on the state of Indian expertise in the field of alchemy regarding the extraction, purification, conversion of metals/minerals into therapeutically suitable forms, various instruments developed for alchemical purposes and treatment of numerous diseases by using herbo‑mineral preparations [2]. Naga Bhasma (incinerated lead) is widely-used as a medication since long in various herbo-metal formulation of Ayurveda, indicated specially for the diseases of urogenital system such as Prameha (Diabetes), Pradara (leucorrhoea), and also useful in disease conditions like Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), Vataroga(_Nervous disorders), _Vrana (non-healing wounds), Arsha (piles), etc [3]. It is one of the vital ingredient in popular formulations like Garbhapala Rasa, Mahayograj guggulu [4], Trivanga Bhasma [4], Vata Vidhwans Rasa. In the present review, an attempt has been made to collect and summarize all the information regarding the Naga’s Grahyaagrahyatva, pharmacodynamics properties, Shodhana, Marana procedures, dose, Anupana and formulations from Suratnojjvala Hindi commentary of RRS by Ambikadatta Shastri. Collected information was compared with other available literature of Rasashastra. Research of modern science was also utilized to explore some facts mentioned by RRS.

Materials and Methods

Rasaratna Samuccaya (13th century CE), a well‑known comprehensive treatise of Ayurveda authored by Vagbhatta with Suratnojjvala hindi commentary by Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri was screened to compile references of Naga. The references of characteristics features, properties, Shodhana procedures, Marana procedures were compiled. In this review, attempt has been made to describe formulations with name and its pharmaco-therapeutic review in the following systematic manner i.e. Kalpa (formulations), percentage of Naga Bhasma, other metals/minerals/herbs used in formulation, Adhikara (prime indication and secondary indication), Aushadha Kalpana (Dosage forms), Anupana (Vehicle), Matra (Dose), Bheshaja Prayoga Marga (Routes of drug administration). The classics treatise has given Naga formulations comprising of minerals, herbs, poisons and animal products with the view of reaping benefits from these formulations. Only the formulations having as Naga are considered for the study. Percentages of Naga bhasma are calculated by considering all herbal, metallic and mineral ingredients. Quantity of Naga bhasma in few formulations is quoted as “Sarva dravya samam Nagam” which means 50% of the formulation will be Naga Bhasma (incinerated lead). In other formulations the quantity is calculated in accordance with the solid constituents, where in the ingredients like decoctions (Kwatha), fresh juices (Swarasa), ghee (Ghrita-clarified butter), and honey (Madhu) are not taken into consideration. Calculation is based on the raw ingredients taken prior to the pharmaceutical processes. The metallic and mineral ingredients in every formulation are in calcined form except Parada, Gandhaka, Haratala, Manahshila, Rasasindura, Ṭankana, Shilajatu and Hingula.

Discussion

Naga bhasma is incorporated as an ingredient in various formulations which are used internally as well as externally. Most of the references found for Naga bhasma are of internal use only. Naga Bhasma is found as an important contain in 45 formulations of a total 950 formulations of the RRS. Percentage of Naga Bhasma was observed minimum 0.47% to maximum 66.66 % in formulations. Most of the formulations containing Naga Bhasma are indicated in Prameha (13), Netraroga (13), Rajyakshma (4), Jwara (4) etc. (Table no.2). Naga bhasma is also administered externally in forms of Anjana, Lepa, in disease conditions like Netraroga and Bhagandara respectively. Shodhana vidhi and Marana vidhi of Naga bhasma is also described.

RRS mentions thirty one formulations for the internal applications which contain up to 50% Naga bhasma. Maximum percentage of Naga bhasma (50%) is observed in Rasendranaga rasa while minimum percentage in Bhairavanathee panchamruta parpati (0.47). In which, Shankheshwara Rasa has typical method of preparation like Lokanatha Rasa. Varnaga is used instead of Naga Bhasma in Mulakuthara rasa. For Varanag preparation, equal part of Teekshna Loha and Neelanjana are taken in crucible and heated in controlled temp till the soft metal obtained as Varnaga. Rasendranaga Rasa is prepared with Jarita Naga but for internal administration it should be always used after proper Marana procedure. Naga Bhasma containing maximum formulations are indicated in Prameha and advised to administrate along with various antidiabetic herbs like Haridra, Amalaki, Nimba, Guduchi etc_. Recent researches show that _Naga Bhasma possesses anti hyperglycemic effect in several experimental models [4, 5]. The action of drugs depends largely upon the Anupana i.e. the vehicle for the drug. Appropriate selection of Anupana and Sahapana enhances the efficacy of Naga bhasma and also avoids complications.

Naga bhasma is also used as an external application in the form of Anjana (corrylium) in the various eye diseases. Lowest proportion of Naga bhasma is found in Ektrishang Varti that contain 3.23% while highest proportion in Ekvinsho Loha kalpa i.e. 66.66 %. In the remaining formulations, percentage of Naga bhasma ranges from 3.70% to 23.08% when used for external application. Total five different dosage form of Naga Bhasma containing formulations were found in RRS. Among them Churna (23) form were used in maximum formulations followed by Vati (11), Varti (8) [6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13].

Conclusion

In Rasaratna Samuchchaya, about 45 formulations of Naga bhasma are reported with five different dosage forms in almost 14 different disease conditions in the form of internal as well as external administration. Most of the formulations of Naga bhasma are not available in the market and no research work has been performed on the safety of these formulations. Thus, there is an urgent need to conduct research on safety and efficacy of formulations of Naga bhasma.