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Santhosh et al., 1:10http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/scientificreports.496

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Volume 1 • Issue 10 • 2012

Keywords: Kajjali; Hingulottha Parada; Gandhaka; Mercury

Introduction Ayurveda has used minerals and metals in therapeutics since time

immemorial and Rasashastra is the specialized branch which deals with the preparation of such medicines. But with the recent questions raised regarding the toxicity of Ayurvedic formulations, there is a need to scientifically evaluate and establish the safety of such preparations. Kajjali is a preparation containing Mercury and Sulfur that forms the base for numerous formulations and is extensively used. As per authoritative texts of Ayurveda, mercury extracted from Hingula is found to be of best quality. This extraction may not be simple and economically viable prompting the use of samples of Mercury available in the market. The present study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of three samples of Kajjali prepared using three different samples of Mercury. One sample was extracted from Cinnabar, second was procured from branded company (MERCK) which claims 99.99% purity and third sample was procured from local market.

Materials and MethodsThe methodology was as follows:

a) Procurement of three samples of Parada (Mercury): Sample 1 was the Parada extracted from Hingula (Cinnabar) [1]. As per the references, Hingulottha Parada is said to be equivalent to Ashta samskarita Parada and hence it was not subjected to samanya shodhana. Two other samples (Samples 2 and 3) of Parada were procured from the market. One was a branded sample which assured 99% purity (MERCK CO.) and the other was randomly selected from the local market. These samples were subjected to samanya shodhana [2].

b) Sample of Gandhaka was procured from the KLE Pharmacy, Belgaum and subjected to Shodhana [2].

c) Once the necessary raw materials were ready, Kajjali was prepared by dridha mardana [3].

d) Prepared samples of Kajjali were subjected to physicochemical analysis which included classical tests and modern tests like NPST

*Corresponding author: Dr. Santhosh B, Dept of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, NIA, Jaipur-302002, India, Tel: 8058386855; E-mail: santtt@gmail.com

Received October 20, 2012; Published November 22, 2012

Citation: Santhosh B, Raghuveer, Desai G, Hiremath RS, Rao N (2012) Analytical Study of Kajjali WSR to Different Samples of Parada (Mercury). 1:496. doi:10.4172/scientificreports.496

Copyright: © 2012 Santhosh B, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits un-restricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

AbstractAyurveda has used mineral and herbo-mineral preparations in the therapeutics since time immemorial. But with

the recent questions raised regarding the toxicity of Ayurvedic formulations, there is a need to scientifically evaluate and establish the safety of such preparations. Kajjali is one such preparation which is prepared using Mercury and Sulfur. It forms the base for numerous preparations and extensively used. As per authoritative texts of Ayurveda, Mercury extracted from Hingula (Cinnabar) is said to be of best variety. The extraction is not economically viable and simple, prompting the use of different samples of Mercury available in the market. The present study was aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of three samples of Kajjali prepared using three different samples of Mercury (one extracted from Cinnabar and two other samples available in the market). Physicochemical analysis of all three samples of Kajjali showed similar readings. In XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) analysis, all three samples had identical peaks, indicating similar chemical composition and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) analysis indicate similar particle sizes. This leads to the conclusion that no significant difference in physicochemical characters is seen across the three samples of kajjali.

Analytical Study of Kajjali WSR to Different Samples of Parada (Mercury)Santhosh B1*, Raghuveer1, Gaurav Desai2, Hiremath RS3 and Nageswara Rao1

1Dept of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, NIA, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India2Dept of Agada Tantra, Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Goa, India3Dept of Bhaishajya Kalpana, KLEU Shri BMKAM, Belgaum, Karnataka, India

(Namburi phase spot test), XRD (X-ray diffraction) and SEM (Scanning electron microscopy).

Observations and ResultsThe time taken for the preparation of Kajjali is showed in table

1. The organoleptic characters of three samples of Kajjali are showed in table 2. Percentage of mercury and sulphur in samples of Kajjali is showed in table 3 and showing results of NPST are showed in table 4.

In XRD analysis, for sample of Kajjali made using Hingulottha Parada, maximum intensity was at 2θ angle of 26.320 and for Kajjali made from branded sample of Parada the maximum intensity was at 2θ angle at 26.380. For Kajjali made from market sample of Parada maximum intensity was at 2θ angle of 26.340. In graphical presentation, all three samples showed almost identical peaks (Figure 1).

When the samples of Kajjali were observed under Scanning Electron Microscope, Kajjali made out of Hingulottha Parada exhibited particle size ranging from 0.30 µm-0.70 µm (Figure 2), while that made from Branded Parada ranged from 0.18 µm-0.41 µm (Figure 3). The Kajjali prepared from market sample of Parada was between 0.16 µm-0.73 µm (Figure 4).

DiscussionExtraction of Mercury from Cinnabar was done by using

Vidyadhara Yantra which was subjected to Agni for 8 hours. Gas burner was used and the temperature noted was 770°C. Out of 500 g of Cinnabar, Mercury obtained was 86 g only (17.2%). The lesser

Citation: Santhosh B, Raghuveer, Desai G, Hiremath RS, Rao N (2012) Analytical Study of Kajjali WSR to Different Samples of Parada (Mercury). 1:496. doi:10.4172/scientificreports.496

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yield may be attributed to some of the factors. First of them would be agni may not have been adequate, the second being the quality of Cinnabar itself and the third being loss during the experiment. Though the Cinnabar used exhibited grahya lakshanas, it is most likely to be artificially prepared from Hg+S combination and in the process of

extraction; we are separating the Hg from the sulfur which is tedious, labour intensive and expensive. The obtained Parada had similar luster and other organoleptic features to the shodhita samples of Parada.

Time taken for attainment of Kajjali passing all classical parameters varied from 60 hours for Hingulottha Parada, 68 hours for branded sample and 72 hours for market sample Parada. This difference may be due to differences in application of pressure during manually triturating and also due to the method adopted for Gandhaka Shodhana. The Ghee used during Gandhaka shodhana is very difficult to get rid off from the Shuddha Gandhaka even after repeated washing in hot water. It may form a layer on the surface of Gandhaka which prevents it from proper mixing with Parada to form Kajjali.

SEM analysis does not show marked difference between the three samples of Kajjali. The particle size varied in the range of 0.30-0.70 microns for Hingulottha Parada, in the range of 0.18 to 0.41 for branded Parada and 0.16-0.73 for market sample. The smallest particle size was that of Kajjali prepared from market Parada. This sample also has the highest number of particles of smaller size as compared to the other sample.

XRD analysis of the three samples, shows that there is no remarkable difference between the‘d’ values at 2 theta angle. All three samples show almost identical peaks. The peaks are so similar that they can almost be superimposed upon each other. The highest peak observed was that of HgS. Peaks for S were also seen. No other peak was found, further strengthening the fact that the Kajjali were processed correctly. The XRD pattern confirm that the prepared Kajjali resemble the characteristic of compound HgS.

Sample Parada Used Time taken (Hours)Kajjali A Hingulolttha Parada 60Kajjali B Branded Sample (MERCK) 68Kajjali C Local Market Sample 72

Table 1: Time taken for the preparation of Kajjali.

Features Kajjali A Kajjali B Kajjali CColour Black Black BlackTouch Soft fine powder Soft fine powder Soft fine powderOdour Characteristic Characteristic Characteristic

Weight (g) 140 178 170

Texture Dull, no shiny particles

Dull, no shiny particles

Dull, no shiny particles

Table 2: Organoleptic characters of three samples of Kajjali.

% of Kajjali A Kajjali B Kajjali CMercury 36.17 32.65 51.4Sulphur 47 51.35 47.96

Table 3: Percentage of mercury and sulphur in samples of kajjali.

Kajjali Solution Paper ResultA 5 N HNO3 10% KI Orange spotB 5 N HNO3 10% KI Orange spotC 5 N HNO3 10% KI Orange spot

Table 4: Showing Results of NPST.

Figure 1: XRD of kajjali samples.

Figure 2: SEM image of Hingulottha Parada Kajjali.

Figure 3: SEM image of Branded Parada Kajjali.

Figure 4: SEM image of Market Parada Kajjali.

Citation: Santhosh B, Raghuveer, Desai G, Hiremath RS, Rao N (2012) Analytical Study of Kajjali WSR to Different Samples of Parada (Mercury). 1:496. doi:10.4172/scientificreports.496

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Volume 1 • Issue 10 • 2012

Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Shahapur, Belagavi, Karnataka for providing the necessary facilities to carry out the study.

References

1. Shamana D (1962) Rasaratna Samuchaya. (2ndedn ), Motilal Banarasidas, New Delhi, India.

2. Sharma S (1979) Rasatarangini. (1stedn), Motilal Banarasidas publication, New Delhi, India.

3. Kulkarni AD (1998) Rasaratna Samuchaya. Meherchanda Lachhmandas Publications, New Delhi, India.

ConclusionPhysicochemical analysis of all three samples of Kajjali showed

similar readings. In XRD analysis, all three samples had very similar peaks, indicating similar chemical composition and SEM analysis indicate similar particle sizes. NPST analysis also showed no difference amongst the samples. This leads to the conclusion that no significant difference in physicochemical characters is seen across the samples of Kajjali.

Acknowledgment

Authors are thankful to Dr. Sreenivas Prasad, Principal, KLE Shri BMK