Standardization of Naga Bhasma prepared by

two different Bhavana Dravya.

Ashish VermaM.Pharma(Ayu.), Ph.D

Specialty: Rasashastra & Bhaisajya Kalpna

Introduction

Pharmaceutical standardization is mandatory forbatch to batch uniformity, reproducibility and forGood Manufacturing Practices. Naga Bhasma is oneof the herbo-metallic preparation used in Ayurveda; atraditional Indian System of Medicine.Pharmaceutical preparation of Naga Bhasma(incinerated lead) involves thermal treatment ofNaga (metallic lead) through a series of quenching indifferent liquids, followed by Putana (specifiedprotocol of heating).

It is claimed to possess broad spectrum oftherapeutic efficacy.

Accumulated toxicity data on the hazardous effects of

heavy metals have made health scientists afraid of heavy

metals.

Naga (Lead) is one of the heavy metal. In R.T. (19/44)

Naga Bhasma is quoted as “Pramehakarikeshari” i.e. one

of the most useful drug for the treatment of Prameha.

In R.R.S. only latex of Calatropis procera has been

mentioned as Bhavana dravya for preparation of Naga

Bhasma but it is not possible to prepare Naga Bhasma with

latex on large scale.

Why this topic ?

Leaves of Arka are available in plenty. So to overcome

this problem the present study has been carried out for

development of Standard Manufacturing Procedure of

Naga Bhasma with two different Bhavana Dravya i.e.

latex & leaf juice of Calatropis procera and

Manahshila (Realgar) as a Maraka Dravya prepared

without process of Jarana.

Cont....

To establish Arka patra Swarasa as a substitute

of Arka Dugdha for preparation of Naga

Bhasma.

To introduce SMP of Naga Bhasma prepared by

two different methods and develop analytical

profile.

aims and objectives

The Standard manufacturing Procedure of Naga Bhasma

prepared by 2 methods by changing Bhavana dravya were

developed i.e. one with latex of Calatropis procera (NBAD)

and another with leaf juice of Calatropis procera (NBAS).

Shuddha Manahshila (Realgar) was taken as a Maraka

Dravya (Drug facilitating process of preparation of Bhasma).

Naga Bhasma was prepared by using classical guidelines

described in Rasa Ratna Samuchhaya. Total 10 Puta are

required for preparation of Naga Bhasma. Total three batches

of each group were prepared by Shodhana followed by

Marana.

Material and Methods

Marana of Naga:

This have been done in two samples which are as follows –

Sample A(NBAD):

This sample will be prepared as per the reference of R.R.S.

5 / 1 8 4

Sample B(NBAS):

This sample will be prepared as per the reference of Anubhuta vidhi.

* NBAD- Naga Bhasma prepared with Arka dugdha

*NBAS- Naga Bhasma prepared with Arka Patra Swarasa

Raw Naga Melting Dhalana

Dried lead Sheets Levigation Shudha

Naga Patra

Washing

1st Puta

After

5th

Puta

After

10th

Puta

Naga Bhasma Pariksha

VarnaRekhapurnataVaritaratvaUnamaApunarbhavaNiruthaNischandrata

DantagreKachakach-abhavaNirdhumatvaAvamiGatarasatvaetc…..

Classical

1) Varna: Colour of the Bhasma

Depends up on the method of preparation.Clear indication of particular compound form of the metal / mineral

Metal English Name Color of the Bhasma

1. Swarna Gold Champaka

2. Tara Silver Krishna (Black)

3. Tamra Copper Krisna (Black)

4. Kamsya Bronze Dhusara (Ash)

5. Naga Lead Paravata (Pigeon Color)

6. Vanga Tin Shubhra (White)

7. Loha Iron Jambu Phala (Black Berry)

8. Abhraka Mica Isthika (Brick Red)

2) Rekhapurnatva:

i) Little amount of Bhasma is rubbed

between thumb and index finger.

ii) The particles of the Bhasma enters the

ridges of the finger exclusively and don’t

come out.

iii) It indicates that the Bhasma is

incinerated properly.

In other way, the test indicates the particle size of the Bhasma,

which is the fundamental aspect for the therapeutic efficacy.

3) Varitaratva:

1. Little amount of Bhasma is sprinkled

over the stagnant surface of pure

water.

2. The particles of the Bhasma float

clearly over the surface of water.

3. This test indicates the lightness of the

incinerated metal.

After proper incineration, the Bhasma particles become too

light and they cannot break the surface tension of the stagnant

water.

4) Unama:

• This test is for further confirmation of Varitara Test.

• A rice grain is placed gently over floating Bhasma.

• If the rice grain floats clearly over the layer of

Bhasma, it indicates that the process of incineration

is proper.

5) Apunarbhava:

[1]

[2]

[3]

1. Equal amount of Bhasma and

Mitrapanchaka are mixed together to

form a uniform mixture.

2. Chakrika is made from this mixture

and placed in to a Graphite crucible

and heated using a burner till all

organic matter burnt out.

3. After self-cooling the material from

the musha is collected and examined

for the presence of free metal.

6. Nirutha:

5 g of Bhasma and 1 g of pure Silver are taken in

Musha & subjected to heat. Weight of silver is seen

after self-cooling.

7. Nischandratva

The natural luster of the metal

should not be there in incinerated

stage.

Presence of luster indicates that

the process is not complete.

This test is particularly applicable

in case of Abhraka Bhasma.

Quantity of ingredients used for Shodhana

Sr. no Ingredients Latin / English

name

Qty/batch Total quantity

1Ashuddha Naga

(kg)Lead 1 3

2 Tila Taila (l)Sesamum

indicum Linn.3 9

3 Takra (l) Butter milk 3 9

4 Kanji (l) Sour gruel 3 9

5 Go Mutra (l) Cows urine 3 9

6Kulattha

Kwatha (l)

Dolichos

biflorus Linn.3 9

7 Churnodaka(l) Lime Water 7 49

Organoleptic characters of Naga

Bhasma

Sr. No. Parameters NBAD NBAS

1 Shabda No metallic sound No metallic sound

2 Sparsha No course particle No course particle

3 Rupa Grey colour Grey colour

4 Rasa Tasteless Tasteless

5 Gandha Not specific Not specific

Parameters NBAD (Batch size-300 g) NBAS (Batch size-500 g)

Avg. wt. of Naga Bhasma (g) 337.73 592.78

Avg. increase in wt. (g) 37.73↑ 92.78↑

% of increase in wt. (%) 12.57↑ 18.55↑

Comparison of results of Naga Bhasma prepared by two different methods

Results of the physicochemical analysis of Naga Bhasma:

Pharmaceutical observations

Sr.

No.

Parameter Naga Bhasma(NBAD) Naga Bhasma(NBAS)

1 I II III I II III

2 Loss on drying at

105ºC

0.48 0.39 0.32 0.24 0.19 0.14

3 Ash value 99.95 99.90 99.90 99.90 99.95 99.85

4 Acid insoluble ash 6.4 5.98 5.62 16.58 16.71 16.45

5 pH 8.29 8.22 8.87 6.12 6.46 6.34

ICP-AES Analysis

Ayurvedic Pharmacology

A Potent poison become best drug on

proper administration. On the contrary,

even the best drug becomes poison if

used incorrectly.

C. S., Su.- 1:126

Conclusion Although Naga Bhasma was prepared, early by latex of

Calatropis procera and the Bhasma was comparatively better

on basis of organoleptic characteristics, the study denotes that

equal number of Puta i.e.10 Puta are sufficient for preparation

of Naga Bhasma with both liquid media (latex and leaf juice

of Calatropis procera ) without process of jarana and there

were insignificant differences in pharmaceutical and analytical

studies of Naga Bhasma prepared by either methods. However

alternative method of Naga Marana with Leaf juice of

Calatropis procera without Jarana may be preferred over

Naga Marana by latex of Calotropis procera in view of large

scale industrial production, economy and effort.

Drugs prepared following Ayurvedic guidelines

are safe, if used judiciously.