Preparation Physicochemical Evaluation and Characterization of Tamra Bhasma

Introduction

Bhasmas is an ancient nanomedicine prepared with herbs and minerals or metals and can be used for curing various diseases and disorders. Bhasma is a combination of Herbs and minerals together prepared by three different methods such as sodhana, marana and bhavana. Sodhana involves detoxification or purification and to preserve the potency and efficacy of raw materials. Sodhana comprises two types’ samanyan sodhana and Vishesha sodhana.

Marana known as Incineration or calcination is a process of conversion of plant materials and minerals or metals into ash. Bhavana involves process called as levigation [1].

In this preparation copper was utilized for preparation of Bhasma, (Tamra Bhasma). Tamra Bhasma was prepared by two different methods Electric Muffle Furnace and Traditional method known as varaputa method. Tamra Bhasma was prepared by quenching the red-hot copper wire in Sesamum indicum, Sasame oil, (Tila Taila), Butter milk (Takra), Sour gruel (Kanji), Cow urine (Gomutra) and Decoction of seeds of Dolichos biflorus Linn. (Kulattha Kwatha) finally levigation bhavana was performed with Fruit juice of Citrus limon (Linn.) Burm. F (Nimbu swarasa). Electric muffle furnace was used for the preparation, the temperature profile was noted every 15 mins. The increase in temperature was observed for each cycle and the incineration was performed by gradually increasing the temperature. The Bhasma prepared by EMF and the final temperature was 850oC [2]. The traditional method known as varaputa method was performed by preparing cowdung cakes. Cowdung cakes were prepared by taking cowdung and prepared in to circular cakes and dried in sun for several days. The prepared cakes were then transferred into a pit (35 cowdung cakes), the pit was filled with cowdung cakes and the copper wire was plunged in tila taila, takra, kanji, gomutra and kulatha kwatha and transferred into an earthen pot and sealed in a clay smeared cloth with Multani metti. The pots were arranged in the pit with cowdung cakes and burned for 120 minutes with addition of cowdung cakes. Finally, after two hours the pots were removed from the pits after cooling. The Bhasma was removed and transferred and preserved for further studies. Then nimbu swarasa was performed by quenching in lemon juice and subjected to incineration in Electric Muffle Furnace [3].

Both the Bhsamas were prepared by different process and the prepared Bhasma was subjected to quality control studies such as colour, odour, taste, appearance, floating test, finger print analysis, curd test, etc. The prepared Bhasma was subjected to characterizations which include UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-RAY Diffraction Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope SEM studies and antimicrobial screening against microorganisms. X-Ray Diffraction method was performed for the Bhasma and Scanning Electron Microscope was used to determine to size and shape of Bhasma [4].

Materials and Methods

Tamra (copper) was obtained from the Loba Chemie Pvt Ltd. Mumbai, Maharashtra, Entire preparation of Tamra Bhasma was carried out in Department of Pharmacognosy, Seven Hills College of Pharmacy, Tirupati. Powder X-ray Diffractometer Panalyticals-III X Ray Diffractometer, Panalytical Netherlands, SEM Analysis: FFSEM (FEL Quanta 250 FEG Eindhoven, The Netherlands). Muffle Furnace- BIOTECH A1-7941.

Procedure

Argon gas and an electric field are both used by the sputter coater. The sample is positioned in a tiny compartment that is vacuum sealed. An electric field and argon gas remove one electron from argon, making the atoms positively charged. The argon ions are subsequently drawn to a gold foil that is negatively charged Figure 11. The gold atoms on the surface of the gold foil are removed by the argon ions. A thin layer of gold is formed on the sample’s surface as a result of these gold atoms falling and settling there Table 5.

Operator User Raw Data Origin XRD measurement (*. XRDML) Scan Axis Gonio Start Position [°2θ] 3.0178 End Position [°2θ] 89.9728 Step Size [°2θ] 0.0330 Scan Step Time [s] 67.9450 Scan Type Continuous PSD Mode Scanning PSD Length [°2θ] 2.12 Offset [°2θ] 0.0000 Divergence Slit Type Automatic Irradiated Length [mm] 13.00 Specimen Length [mm] 10.00 Measurement Temperature [°C] 25.00 Anode Material Cu Intended Wavelength Type K-α1 K-α1 [Å] 1.54060 K-α2 [Å] 1.54443 K-β1 [Å] 1.39225 K-β2 [Å] 1.38113 K-β3 [Å] 1.39261 K-A2 / K-A1 Ratio 0.50000 K-Alpha2 Line Shift 0.00000 K Absorption Edge 1.37868 Generator Settings 30 mA, 45 kV Diffractometer Type 0000000011268541 Diffractometer Number 0 Goniometer Radius [mm] 240.00 Dist. Focus-Diverg. Slit [mm] 144.50 Incident Beam Monochromator No Spinning Yes

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A small amount of bhasma was transferred on to the glass slide and observed using a compound microscope. Microscopical images of bhasma was observed in an compound microscope and magnified at 10X. The images are depicted in Figure 12 & 13.

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Discussion

The traditional methods such as varaputa method is an ancient method of preparation of Bhasma, other methods include sodhana, marana and bhavana. Sodhana is performed by samayana sodhana and visesha sodhana, which is done for purification by removing toxic chemicals, marana is known as incineration/calcination of Bhasma, and bhavana is known as levigation. In the preparation of Bhasma numerous approaches were performed such as samayana sodhana which include tila taila, (Sasame oil) takra, (Butter milk) gomutra, (cow urine) kanji (Sour gruel) and kulatha kwatha (Horse gram decoction). Samayana sodhana was preformed and then the Bhasma was subjected to quality control and evaluation parameters such as colour, odour, taste size and shape. Color, odour and taste of Bhasma were observed quality control was evaluated by ash values and extractive values. The ash value determines the quality and purity of Bhasma. The total ash value determines the presence of very high inorganic content. Lower value of the acid insoluble ash suggests the greater physiological availability of the drug. In the ultraviolet-visible spectral region, absorption spectroscopy or reflectance spectroscopy are both referred to as UV-Spectroscopy.

The wavelengths of the radiation that various compounds absorb vary. A molecule’s structural groups are represented by a number of absorption bands in an absorption spectrum. U.V. electromagnetic spectrum ranges from 190 to 400 nm, whereas visible electromagnetic spectrum ranges from 400 to 800 nm. Tamra Bhasma’s UV spectrum revealed greatest absorption at 220 nm, indicating that it is absorbent in the UV region. FTIR was used to look for organic legends or functional groups in Tamra Bhasma. Infrared spectroscopy deals with the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is light with a longer wavelength and lower frequency than visible light. When infrared light or radiation hits a molecule, the bonds in the molecule absorb the energy of the infrared and respond by vibrating. Size and shape of Bhasma was evaluated by Scanning electron Microscope SEM. The Phase and crystalline properties of materials can be identified by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy.

X-ray diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD) is a technique used in materials science to determine the crystallographic structure of a material. Scanning electron Microscope SEM determines the size and shape of Bhasma. The methods involved in the preparation of Bhasma are ancient methods. These methods are precious methods to be preserved for future. These Traditional methods must be used in this modern world with modern scientific tools to develop new terminologies and new findings to prepare these ayurvedic and siddha formulations. These herbal formulations such as asavas and aristas, Bhasma, churnas, lehyas, gutika/vati, rasayana, etc, can be prepared by using modern sophisticated equipments/instruments. These prepared formulations can be tested for quality control and evaluation parameters can be carried out. This preparation can be characterized by using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Spectroscopy, etc.

Conclusion

According to the results of the current study, Tamra Bhasma is a nano-sized particle with a high rate of dispersion to the target site, demonstrating its significant therapeutic efficacy. The Tamra Bhasma contained no free metal, indicating that toxicity and negative effects were not present. All of these cutting-edge analytical studies assist in bringing the obscured truths claimed by our ancient science to the attention of modern science and demonstrating their authenticity. With the increased demand for herbal medicine and enhanced usage of herbal medicine, the development of an authentic standardization parameter and evaluation tool will help in sustaining the quality of such predominant polyherbal preparations.

Competing Interest

Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Acknowledgements

Authors express their sincere gratitude to Seven Hills College of Pharmacy, Tirupati, for continuous motivation, support, and guidance for research activity and for providing all required facilities to accomplish the entitled work.