INTRODUCTION TO KUSHTA

Prepared by: Dr. Madiha MustafaPharm-D,Mphil

Lecturer Qarshi University

FOR MY STUDENTS WHO ARE MOST

PRECIOUS FOR ME

Traditional medicine has long been practiced in the Indo-Pak subcontinent. Ayurvedic and Unani/Tibb are the two most popular systems of traditional medicine in this region. Each system uses herbs, minerals and animal tissues in various dosage forms.

Kushta/herbomineral formulation ‘Kushta’ is one of the dosage forms prepared in a very special manner.

‘Kushta’ the past participle of ‘KUSHTAN’ (a Persian wordfor ‘to kill’), means ‘killed or conquered’. Primarily, a Kushta is a blend of mineral(s) and herbal extract(s). In the traditional system, the term is used for those dosage forms, which are effective in small doses and are prompt in action

Kushta or bhasma is the finest powder form of the medicinal preparations obtained by calcination of metal, minerals and animal drugs. It is easily absorbed in human body and is highly efficacious

in action. The rate of absorption of a drug depends on particle size.

Smaller the particle size quicker and greater is the rate of absorption.

Kushta has the smallest particle size (in nano particle range) hence largest surface area as compared to any other solid dosage form of Unani system of medicine therefore this factor is responsible for rapid action of kushta.

History The Horizon of Unani medicine originated

from Greece under the patronage of Hippocrates (460 BC–377 BC)and was developed by Arabs into an elaborated medical science based on the frame work of the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen Since that time Unani Medicine has been known as Greco-Arab medicine.

Unani is still popular in many Arab and East Asian countries. In fact Unani medicine and herbal products are gradually more being used in many countries where modern medicine is easily available The indigenous systems use mineral preparations mostly in calcined forms: Kushta in Unani, bhasma in Ayurveda , and Parpams in Siddha. The usage includes even those elements which are otherwise considered toxic and are not administered internally in conventional medicine

It is a historical truth that old Unani physicians used some remedies containing certain minerals, such as salts or oxides of copper and lead.

Galen states that the efficacy of burnt lead is unparallel in cancer and copper was burnt before its use because it is harmful for the body when used as it is

These preparations have long been used by traditional healers and are claimed to be very effective and are still used today in these systems.

No attempt has been made to study this type of dosage form in a scientific manner.

This is because of a lack of communication among traditional healers, physicians and scientists and the unavailability of the literature in English.

Most of the books are written in the local language and are not accessible to the rest of the

world. Only few books have been translated into English.

Among these are ‘Hamdard Pharmacopoeia of Eastern Medicine”

Uses of metal and minerals dates back to the time of immorial

Metals were burnt in the time of Hermis (Father of Alchemy)

Commonly used metals are Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Lead and Tin and alloy Bronze

Irhraq and Taklees can be used as a synonymAlchemist and wrote many books on

alchemy.Geber's science of al-kimiya, from which both Arabic words ‘alchemy and chemistry stem, was based upon the Hellenistic view that all metals are basically the identical matter, but with varying impurities.

Geber, in his book Nakhbe Jabri has mentioned the use and method of preparing of Kushta of iron, tin, ammonium chloride and mica, sublimation of mercury and sulphur

Rhazes wrote a book “Kitab Ul Akseer’’ on Kushtasazi (calcination) and mentioned the uses of Kushtajat in Kitab Al Hawi.

Kushta Nuqra prepared with doodhi booti as mughlize mani and muqawwi baah (aphrodiasiac)

kushta Hajrul yahood prepared with aab e barag turb as mufattit hasat (lithotriptic), kushta e faulad prepared with aab anar as muqawwi e meda (stomachic), muqawwi jigar (liver tonic) and prepared with sankhya .

Kushta shangaraf as muqawwi e baah (aphrodiasiac) and mushtahi taam (appetizer),

Kitab al Taklees has also been written by Ibn e Sina Risala dar Azkare Tanqia wa Taklees Risala Fi al Taklees rare books on Kushta Sazi

Reason for using Unani medicine Cost effective Safety concern ADRs associated with allopathic drugs

What is Kushta???These are herbomineral preperations

Which are blend of metals, metallic oxides, non metals and their compounds or minerals.

The ingredients are oxidized through the action of heat. The preparation of a Kushta results in the increased efficacy of a drug, and after entering into the body it exerts its curative role promptly and effectively.

When a drug is burnt to the extent that it is reduced to ashes then it is regarded as Ihraq /Taklees/calcination.

This processes mentioned in various classical Unani text books like Qarabadeen Qadr iBayaaz Khas Firdaus Ul Hikmat

Possible mechanisms of action It is likely that at higher temperatures

metals combine with organic compounds (present in a herbs) to form organo-metallic complexes

presence of metal may act as a catalyst in transformation of herbal constituents to highly active compound(s) which are actually responsible for the therapeutic success of the Kushta

SAR

Continue…………… It is also possible that the process of

preparing Kushta may transform the heavy metals into the readily excretable form that reduces the cumulative toxicity of the metallic elements.

For example, EDTA forms highly water-soluble complex with lead and renders it to be excreted through urine. Therefore, it is used in lead poisoning

Kushta (calcined product) is easily absorbed in human body and is highly efficacious in its action.

A small amount of kushta can be used for wide range of therapeutics depending upon the process of formulation.

Kushta has always been neglected and not studied scientifically.

Few scientific reports are available on kushta and other drugs of mineral origin. Kushta are biological nanocrystals.

Nanocrystalline materials are solids composed of crystallites with size less than 100 nm in at least one dimension.

It is claimed by the healers that these techniques increases the efficacy of drug and also either completely remove the elements of toxicity at all or downgrade them to the level where the drug can be safely used .

Method of preperation Classically mineral and animal origin drugs are

calcined in crucibles and in pits of different sizes by special processses, having varying numbers of cow dung cakes and with different intensity of heat. The resultant product (Kushta) obtained is in the form of fine powder.

It is administered orally in small dose with suitable vehicle to make them biocompatible. The efficacy of kushta depends upon the processing method. Ores are roasted by heating them at high temperature but below the melting point

Sequential chart for preparation of kushta

purification powdering

Stirringwashing

filtration Heating

TriturationCoating

Detoxification

Purification The principal objective purification is to

remove unwanted part from the raw material and separate out.

"The sheets of metals are heated till red hot and are successively dipped into liquids like oil, buttermilk. The procedure is repeated seven times".

Powdering  a change is brought about in the chemical form

or state of the metal. This makes it to lose its metallic characteristics and physical nature. In short, after powdering, metal can be converted into powder or other form suitable for administration.

Mercury is often used because of unique property of mercury to amalgamate with many metals must have been the reason behind its maximum use in kushta preperation.

Stirring Process of stirring during heating the

metal . Stirring is carried out either with iron rod or stick made from a specific plant. As we know today, iron serves as catalyst in many chemical reactions. The phytoconstituents of plant stick may be enhancing the therapeutic effect. For example, stick of Neem is used for stirring process due to its antiseptic property.

Washing  In this process, several water washes

are given to the product obtained in the previous stage. Perhaps this is to remove the excess amounts of agents used in previous stages. Such agents may adversely affect the quality of final product. Hence intermediates are washed with water, thereby water-soluble constituents are removed.

FilterationThe product is then sifted either through a fine cloth

or through sieves of suitable mesh so as to separate residual material larger in size

Heating and TriturationHeating is done again after filtration and drug is

triturates with herbs and herbal extracts.Detoxification

 Calcination,the general term used for heating in the process of kushta. A special earthen pot, boota is generally used for the process. Its shallowness is useful in heating the material faster and uniformly. 

Special Method of preparation Before making drugs are cleaned and this the drugs are

ground in a pestle and mortar (Kharal) with for a specified period of time .Thereafter small cakes of varying sizes and thickness are made. These cakes are well dried in the shade and are put in earthen discs and the process of Gil-e-Hikamat is followed and the whole apparatus is dried. After this a pit is dug in an open space. Half the pit is filled with cowdung cakes. The apparatus (sealed earthen discs) is now placed in the pit and the remaining space is filled with more cow dung cakes which are then ignited. After the calcination is over, the pit is allowed to cool completely, the apparatus is removed and the contents, thus obtained, are again powdered.

Aims of Taklees To change a hard and unabsorbable drug

into absorbable form . To remove undesirable parts of the drug e.g.

Crab and Stag horn are burnt to remove undesired fluids contain in them.

To make a hard drug soft enough to pound eas ily, e.g. Ruby.

To remove toxic effect of drug, e.g. Scorpion and Snake are burnt to remove their poison.

To decrease the toxic effects of a drug. To increase the efficacy and potency of a drug.

ADVANTAGES OF TAKLEES

Low dose and high efficacy. Use is easy as compared to other dosage forms. Some kushta are unparalleled as aphrodisiac. Most of the kushta stimulates innate heat of the body. Kushta is more stable than other dosage forms. Only dosage form in which a bio incompatible substance is made

biocompatible Only dosage form that can be given in acute conditions. It is a dosage form which induces the change in

temperament of the drug e.g. the temperament of Sadaf is cold and dry but its Kushta has temperament hot and dry Can be used in the patient of such diseases where uptake of large doses of medicine is not contraindicated

All the kushtajat are very potent by their action and this property of kushtajat is used in presence of severe diseases.

The older the Kushta better the effect

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF KUSHTA

1. The material used for the preparation of Kushta should be of the best quality.

2. While making the Kushta , any addition and deletion of any of the item, duration and the mode of mortaring, the fire used to be subjected, should strictly be followed according to the text.

3. When the fresh juice of an herb is added it should be either Muqatar (distilled) or Murawwaq (filtered)

4. When dried herb is added, it should not be more than one year old.

5. Highest precautions should be taken in subjecting the Boota (crucible) to the fire.

(a)Fluctuation in the intensity of the heat should be avoided.(b)The ‘ boota’ should be subjected to the fire of the

cow dung cakes or coal according to the method given in

the classical text.6. Place at which Kushta is prepared should be air

protected 

PRELIMINARY TESTS1. Loss of metallic luster When visually examined preferably in presence of sun light

no metallic luster should be observed.2. Fineness test On rubbing a small quantity of the sample between the

fingers it should enter into the lines on the fingers.3. Floating test If a small quantity of kushta is sprinkled on water surface it

should float on the surface,but this property of a Kushta is not standard parameter because this property can be found in various other substances like wood dust. Floating on water only indicates the lightness of kushta

 4. The Kushta should not revert to the original state   T

Continue……..The kushta of a non metal should not emit smoke when

placed on fire.

6. Loss of metallic state . This involves heating of a very thin silver sheet (600 nm

thickness) along with a small quantity of kushta to red hot for about 5 min. After cooling the sheet to room temperature, no traces of this sample should permanently stick to the silver sheet indicating no alloy formation takes place, thus confirming the metal has totally transformed into kushta , its oxide form

. 7. When thrown over wall then the prepared kushta should

stick to the wall  

Some of the Kushtas used in traditional medicine of Indo-Pak subcontinent

Element Preparation Mineral Herb uses

Calcium Kushta Sadaf Oyster shell Rosa damascena

cardiotonic

Mercury Kushta para mercury Listeria chinesis Paralysis, asthma, and impotence

Iron Kushta Faulad Iron dust Aloe barbadensis

Tonic especially haemantinic

Tin Kushta Qalai Tin Aloe barbadenis impotence

Arsenic Kushta Gaudanti

Arsenic trisulphide

Aloe barbadenis Rheumatism

Copper Kushta Tamba sufaed

Copper dust Capparis decidua

Cough and asthma

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