Preparation and physiochemical characterization of Indian traditional medicine: Praval bhasma by using modern analytical techniques

Abstract

Praval is the calcareous skeleton of the marine organism called Anthezoa polypus and belongs to phylum Coelenterate. It is a natural source of rich calcium. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine it is widely used in Amlapitta, Netra Roga and Hridaya Roga and Ca deficiency. To ensure efficacy and safety parameters of prepared bhasma, the quality control tests of Rasa shastra like Varitara Rekhapurnatvam, Nishchandrata were performed. But these traditional tests do not ensure efficacy & safety of Bhasmas. Therefore modern techniques were used to study Chemical investigations of some commercial samples of Praval bhasma. The Praval bhasma was prepared strictly as per procedure prescribed in Ayurvedic formulary of India. To evaluate quality aspects of Praval bhasma the modern analytical techniques were used. The Physicochemical characterization of Praval bhasma was carried out using EDAX, SEM, IR, UV and XRD analysis. The study shows that repeated calcinations cycles are very necessary to stabilize the particle to a minimum particle size. In case of commercial sample it showed that there were relatively compact microcrystalline aggregates with increased agglomeration as indicated by the increased particle size. This detailed investigation of lab prepared Praval bhasma suggests and prompts the rational utility of lab prepared Praval bhasma over commercial formulations. Physico-chemical analysis provides the parameters to set the standards for quality of raw material as well as finished products.

Keywords: Praval bhasma, Calcination, XRD, EDAX, Calcium carbonate