ABSTRACT
Background: Shwas kuthar rasa is a prestigious and potential herbomineral formulation of Ayurveda tested on 100 years of time scale for the treatment of asthma, allergy, and other respiratory problems. However, there is a lack of scientific work on Shwas kuthar rasa. Objective: To prepare and physicochemically evaluate mercury‑based Shwas kuthar rasa herbomineral formulation of Ayurveda for asthma and allergy. Materials and Methods: Shwas kuthar rasa was prepared as per Ayurvedic text and characterized by various modern analytical techniques, viz., transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‑ray diffraction (XRD), far infrared (IR) spectroscopy, fourier transform IR spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‑ray analysis, and inductively coupled plasma‑mass spectroscopy. Results: Study clearly revealed that prepared Shwas kuthar rasa formulation shows several crystallites agglomerate into a single particle. It yields submicron size particle structure (1.22 µ) with TEM analysis. The usage of mercury in the formulation found in the form of mercuric sulfide (HgS) and reaching to nanocrystalline (31–56 nm) size by XRD analysis. Conclusion: The present study indicates Shwas kuthar rasa is nanocrystallite with submicron size particle. Trituration of Kajjali helps in the formation of HgS and increases the crystallinity in the formulation.
ABSTRACT
Qualitative and quantitative estimation of macrobenthic fauna was done during pre and post drought period. A total of 18 species of macrobenthos were recorded during pre drought and 17 in post drought period. Maximum number of species was reported in Mollusca followed by Diptera and Oligochaeta. The average contribution of Mollusca was 94.72%, Dipetra 2.98% and Oligochaeta 2.30% to total benthic species of the Chaur. Bellamya bengalensis, Gabbia orcula, Gyraulus convexiusculus, Lymnaea acuminata and Lymnaea auricularia were the molluccs which were found in all the monthly samples. Number wise Gyraulus convexiusculus was most abundant followed by Gabbia orcula while Lamellidens marginalis and Pila glabosa were the least abundant. In pre drought period average number of macrobenthos was 3176/m2 while in post drought period, it was 2676/m2. Analysis of the various index showed that diversity of benthic fauna was higher in WIN season followed by RMON, PRM and MON season. Winter seems to be a favourable season for benthic organisms. Availability of different species of mollusks indicated the good cultural and unpolluted condition of Chaur.