A Pharmaceutical and Analytical study of 'Gomutra Arka'

ABSTRACT:

Ayurveda has achieved its proper position at international level & set up with weapons to solve many critical problems of human being. Different formulation methodologies prepared with various herbs & their administrations are collectively discussed in Bhaishajya Kalpana. Five basic methodologies called Panchavidh Kashay Kalpana are stated. Though these kalpanas are effective posses some limitations regarding taste, smell & shelf-life. So some derived formulations are designed by acharya based mainly on extraction of active ingredient. The term Arka used for the procedure indicates that it is the most applicable and potent formulation. While doing pharmaceutical preparations it is observed that some drugs having volatile constituents as active principles, loose their potency after boiling to obtain such volatile aromatic content, Arka Kalpana is developed. The Arka kalpana described in Vedas⁽¹⁾ can be traced in the form of liquors and named as ‘Parisruta’. Parisruta is the alcoholic preparation made by the process of distillation. Arka Prakash the special text describing Arka stated isolation of arka not only from herbs & flowers but also from substances belonging to animal kingdom. In this thesis pharmaceutical preparation of Gomutra Arka is done by using domestic cooker as well as simple distillation apparatus. Open pan evaporation of Gomutra was also done to rule out the time required & temperature consumed. Cooker method arka preparation was done as pilot study. Based on the values obtained, groups of experiments changing initial quantity of raw material & keeping time & temperature constant & vice versa was done. Composition of Gomutra & it's utility is very well known today, but its dispersion has some limits due to smell, taste, availability of proper sources. So Gomutra Arka was prepared and studied analytically in terms of organoleptic test & chemical analysis was also done.

Keyword: Gomutra, Arka kalpana, Gomutra Arka