GANDHAK ( SULPHUR ) A CONCEPTUAL STUDY

1. Professor, PG Department of Rasa Shastra & Bhaishjya Kalpana, Major S. D. Singh PG Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital Farrukhabad (UP). 2. Lecturer, PG Department of Dravyaguna, Major S. D. Singh PG Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital Farrukhabad (UP). 3. Lecturer, PG Department of Rog Nidan & Vikriti Vigyan, Major S. D. Singh PG Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital Farrukhabad (UP). ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 20 May 2020 Final Accepted: 24 June 2020 Published: July 2020


Etymology & names:
The substance that possesses strong and irritant smell, called Gandhaka 7 . Due to its characteristic pungent odour, known as Gandhaka 8 .

Review of Literature:-
In Vedic texts, no references regarding Gandhaka are available.

Classical texts:
Brihattrayi have used Gandhaka both internally and externally in skin disorders.

Rasa Granth:
Almost all texts of Rasashastra have described the Gandhaka in their texts.

Nighantu:
All texts of Nighantu after 13 th century have described Gandhaka. Only the Pita variety is available and considered as best for the Rasayana. It is of two types-Amalasara Gandhaka: Rasaratna Samuchchaya named it Shukapichchha. It appears greenish yellow like fresh Amla (Emblica officinalis) colour. Rasatarangini mentioned it yellow like Haridra (Curcuma longa) colour and butter like soft. It is used in Rasayana and internally.

Pinda Gandhaka:
Rasatarangini mentioned it similar as Amlasara but have many impurities. It is a precipitated form of sulphur and used only for external application in skin diseases 16 .

Purification:
Shodhana process removes the physical as well as chemical impurities. Table 3:-Some most important methods of purification [20][21][22] S N Methods of purification 1 Swedana with milk for1/2 hr then melted in Ghrit and filtered with a cloth. 2 Melted in Mustard/Til/Kausumbh oil, poured in milk and allowed to cool, then wash with hot water and dried well. 3 Melted in Ghrit and poured in milk and allow to cool then wash with hot water. Repeat this for three times. 4 Melted and poured in to Bhringraaja Swarasa. Repeat for seven times. 5 In Swedani yantra, Gandhaka purified in first time. 6 Urdhawapatana of Gandhaka makes it best and pure. 7 Heated with limewater, then after cooling, Lavanadravaka is added drop by drop then whole Gandhaka precipitate in the bottom. 8 Gandhaka and ¼ Tankana, pasted with Bijpurak swarasa and bhawana with Erand oil, then dried in excessive sun light.  23 and Gargia river, Nandaprayag, Mansiyari Mulladasoli, Mullanagpur (U.P.) 31 .

Minerals and ores:
Gandhaka is found in nature in native as well as in compound forms. Common compound forms are sulphide and sulphate.

Pharmacological properties: External:
Pure sulphur when applied topically that converts into sulphide form an or polythionic acid, is a mild irritant, germicidal and comedogenic (anti-acne). Topical application is reportedly toxic to the parasitic arthropod Sarcoptes scabiei. It has been suggested that the antibacterial activity may partly result from inactivation of sulfhydryl groups contained in bacterial enzyme systems 32 . Pentathionic acid as an oxidation product of sulphur is germicidal as bactericidal and fungicidal. It has also bacteriostatic (against gram positive) and keratolytic property. Alone, or in combination with other keratolytic agents (often 2% salicylic acid) widely used in the treatment of cutaneous disorders such as psoriasis, seborrhia, eczema, dermatitis and lupus erthematosus 33 .

Internal:
Sulphur is insoluble in the stomach and in the intestine converted in to alkaline sulphide and sulphurated hydrogen, which stimulates the peristalsis. It has mild laxative effect and soothing effect on the blood vessels so, relieves pain by soften the stool in haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, and anal prolapsed. It is also used extensively in arthritis and chronic cough.

Toxicity:
Excessive amount of sulphides and hydrogen sulphide may produce symptoms like asphyxia and paralyse the nervous and muscular system. Large doses may have hepatotoxic properties. Rarerly sulphide absorbed from the intestine may produce the enterogenous cyanosis due to the formation of sulphaemoglobin [34][35] .

Excretion:
It is excreted in the stool mostly unchanged, rest in the urine as sulphate. About 10-14% of sulphur is absorbed as sulphide and excreted by the lungs, sweat glands and milk. When excreted through lungs and sweat, it gives offensive smell to the breath and blackens the silver ornaments in touch with skin respectively. The drug is not detectable in skin after 24 hrs. and after 20 hrs 50% eliminated through urine 36 .

Discussion:-
Rasashastra has two approach one is Lohavedha (conversion of mercury to gold, silver) and second is Dehavedha (internal use of metallic preparations). Gandhak is a most important mineral in Rasashastra, used for the preparation of Kajjali and then to various preparations of Kupipakwa, pottalli, parpati, khalwirasa. For any mercurial preparations it is most demanding mineral. Sulphur may reduce the nephrotoxic and allergic manifestations of mercury. The uses of Gandhaka started from Samhita period and its external or internal uses indicate that the Acharyas were well known about their therapeutic properties. Almost all Rasashastra texts are mentioned the detailed description. Mythological origin can interpreted with the consequences of sedimentation of volcanic exudates. From starting it may changed from black to red, red to yellow then into white. Therapeutically it has been used for Deepan, Pachana, Amanashan, Rasayana and destroy the skin disorders, Krimi roga, Swasa, arthritis and other diseases also. It used as Fungicide and anti-Parasitic. It should be used after shodhan, because raw gandhak contains impurities like shila churna and Malla visha. It is an important agent after the Parad in mercurial preparations. It is essentially used in the Parada Murcchan, Jarana, Badhan and others procedures. It is also essential for the Sattvapatan of various minerals and believed that only Gandhaka is able to form all types of Lauha in to Bhasma.

Conclusion:-
Gandhak has most important role in the preparation of mercurial formulations. It enhances the qualities and reduces the toxicity of Parada. Amlasar Gandhak having yellow colour is the best among four types. Rasa-Sindoor, Makardhwaj are the most popular prepations of Gandhak. Pure sulphur has no effect on skin, but when mixed with greasy substances,that converts into sulphide form, is probably responsible for the therapeutic effects. In intestine, it converted in to alkaline sulphide, which causes laxative action. In excessive amount of sulphide absorbed from the intestine may produce the cyanosis due to the formation of sulphaemoglobin and produce asphyxia, and paralyse the nervous and muscular system. It may be concluded that Gandhak and their preparations are widely prescribed for their therapeutic importance. In Ayurvedic fraternity it is most reputed drug. Authors suggested that there is a need of further studies to know its pharmaco-dynamics and other pharmacological effects and procedures to reduce the toxicities.