Study on physical properties of Ayurvedic nanocrystalline Tamra Bhasma by employing modern scientific tools

Background: Tamra Bhasma is derived from metallic copper that is recommended for different ailmentsof liver and spleen, dropsy, abdominal pain, heart disease, colitis, tumors, anemia, loss of appetite,tuberculosis, as well as eye problems.Objectives: The knowledge of crystallite size and active ingredients in Bhasma materials is limitedrestricting its use as nanomedicine in the modern era. Also, the 2015 Nobel prize in medicine hasmotivated many researchers towards traditional medicines. Therefore, the different chemical andphysical properties of prepared Tamra Bhasma has been studied by modern experimental tools (XRD,VSM, SEM, FTIR and PL spectrometer) and the preliminary testing of Tamra Bhasma nanoparticles wasexamined on bacteria.Materials and methods: Bhasma is prepared by metals and minerals using three step procedures e.g.Shodhana, Bhavana and Marana. In the present work, for the preparation of Tamra Bhasma, pulverizedcopper wire was used and prepared by the principle of Puta (incineration) in an Electrical Muffle Furnace(EMF).Results: X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the crystallitesize of Bhasma powder was less than 100 nm and nanocrystallites of aglomerated size in micrometer.Magnetometer measurement supports its medicinal value. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of nanocrystalline Bhasma powder was investigated in UV-NIR region and shows luminescence in visible region.The antimicrobial study of Tamra Bhasma shows effectiveness on bacteria and, may be useful to controlthe bacterial infection disease.Conclusion: Scientific data obtained using modern scientific tools and evidence would support in utilizing the ancient Indian wisdom of Ayurveda for the development of newer drugs as a modern nanomedicine and in other possible technological applications.© 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Wandering ascaris coming out through the T-tube tract--a rare occurrence.

A case of ascariasis of the common bile duct in the postoperative period of cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage is reported. The living adult wandering ascaris came out through the T-tube tract immediately after removal of the T-tube. No such previous report has been found in the available literature.

Haemobilia due to a large gall bladder polyp.

A 61-year-old male presented with recurrent bouts of haematemesis and melaena for last 10 days. On examination, he was found anaemic and had jaundice and a mass felt in the right hypochondrium. He required multiple blood transfusions. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopic (OGD) evaluation demonstrated no lesion, no fresh bleeding noticed from ampulla of Vater. Ultrasonographic evaluation demonstrated a heterogeneous mass within the gall bladder lumen with a chink of free lumen between the mass and gall bladder wall and also dilated biliary tract. Laparotomy confirmed mass within the gall bladder lumen without any lymph node involvement at porta or any liver metastasis, and had dilated common bile duct. Cholecystectomy was carried out. The cut section of the gall bladder showed a polypoid mass (5.5 cm x 4 cm) projecting inside lumen having a haemorrhagic spot on irregular surface and which was attached with fundus of the gall bladder through a small stalk. Choledochotomy showed only blood clots within the duct-choledochoduodenostomy was also done. Histopathological examination showed adenomatous polyp with foci of carcinoma in-situ or ly without any evidence of local metastasis. Follow-up was uneventful till after 11 months.