RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Vaikranta has very important place in Rasa sastra and is placed under Maharasa and Upratna group. It has been mentioned that vaikranta can be used in the place of diamond, which is a very precious stone and whose use is beyond the limit of the common man. Vaikranta possesses pharmacological and therapeutic properties similar to diamond, but still very few researchers have worked on it. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The main aim of the present study is to analyze vaikranta bhasma by employing various organoleptic methods mentioned in Ayurvedic science along with analysis as per tools available today. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: In the present study, vaikranta bhasma was prepared according to method mentioned in Rasa Ratna Samuccaya. Final product is prepared according to classical parameters described in Ayurvedic science. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ayurvedic scholars have described various parameters for the qualitative evaluation of vaikranta bhasma, but all those are subjective in nature and cannot be evaluated numerically for reproducibility of the result. With this in mind, in the present study, tests as per Ayurvedic science and analytical parameters such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry were adopted to analyze the final product. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Data suggests that vaikranta bhasma is a multi-mineral compound, which contains iron and silica as major constituents and others are present as trace elements. The data obtained in this study suggest that quality specifications for vaikranta bhasma can be developed using tests described in Ayurvedic science along with analytical tools available today.
RESUMO
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) threatens as emerging public health crisis. The two major drivers for this are the ageing of the world's population and the impressive, if deplorable, success of the multinational tobacco companies at forcing open world markets. One of the most striking aspect of COPD is that it is heterogenous. There are many different presentations with differing intensities of symptoms and even differing responses to the medication. Sorting out, what accounts for this phenomenon and how treatments can be best individualised, is of concern to both basic and clinical scientists. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and results in a substantial economic and social burden to society. It is the sixth most common cause of death worldwide and expected to rise to third position by 2020. Several national and international agencies like WHO, GOLD, ATS, ERS etc. are working in a direction of finding some solution of this wicked problem. In Ayurvedic texts Shwasa Roga has been described having symptomatology close to COPD. A study was carried out in P.G.Deptt. of Kayachikitsa in R.G.G.P.G.Ayu.College Paprola, H. P. where the role and efficacy of two Ayurvedic formulations -Vasadi Syrup and Shwasaghna Dhuma was evaluated on 30 patients of COPD selected on the basis of fixed inclusion and exclusion criteria in two different groups. In both the groups drugs provided significant results based on subjective symptomatological criteria and objective spirometric criteria.
