ABSTRACT
Objective: to process, standardize and assess the Kasisa bhasma formulation
Methods: the Kasisa bhasma [AK1] was processed in strict accordance to Ayurvedic formulary of India. AK1 was characterized physicochemically by FT-IR, TGA, SEM, AFM, XRD and AAS techniques. Formulation was assessed for anti-anemic, hepatoprotective and toxicity potentials using albino rats. The commercially marketed Kasisa bhsma [AK2] formulation was also used for comparative study
Results: the FT-IR spectra showing principal inorganic, hydrated metal salt or oxide peak was an indicative of bhasma. The XRD analysis of both formulations exhibited crystalline nature and nano-sized particles whendetermined using Scherrer formula. SEM showed well-defined plate like structures of ferric oxide in AK2 while AK1 showed spongy, relatively compact microcrystalline aggregates with loss of grain boundaries. AFM analysis confirmed the spherical morphology of AK1 and AK2 due to aggregation of nanocrystals of metallic oxides in the formulation. The presence of ferric oxide in nano-crystalline size was confirmed by TGA curves and quality by AAS study. The formulations AK1 and AK2 had exhibited anti-anemic and hepatoprotective potentials in albino rats. No toxicity was reported in histopathological study
Conclusion: the schematic process of Kasisa bhasma imparts quality in the formulation and standardization protocols and may therefore be considered as a fingerprinting of Kasisa bhasma using sophisticated analytical techniques