Physico-Chemical Characterization of Ashodhit (Unprocessed) and Shodhit (Processed) Nilanjana

摘要

Ayurveda recommended Anjana for daily use to prevent deterioration of the eye sight and also to maintain, prolong and improve it. In Rasa Shastra there are five varieties of Anjana i.e. Srotanjana, Sauveeranjana, Nilanjana, Pushpanjana and Rasanjana. The drug Nilanjan which was obtained from Anjana is chemically known as Lead Sulphide (PbS). Externally it is black in colour but on breaking it gives shining crystals of blue colour. Nilanjana is employed for various therapeutic uses in Ayurveda but only after Shodhana. Shodhana is a process in which undesired physical, chemical impurities and toxic material are eliminated. In some drugs this makes it suitable for therapeutic use. The process of Shodhana has now been standardized by using tools like atomic absorption spectrophotometry & X-ray diffraction etc. The histopathological study is based on the comparative study of Shodhit and Ashodhit Nilanjana in liver, heart, lung, kidney and small intestine of Charles Foster rat. In the present study, the Shodhana of Nilanjana was done by two methods i.e. seven Bhawana (levigation) with Bhringraj Swaras and with Lemon juice. Shodhit and Ashodhit Nilanjana prepared from both methods have only Lead Sulphide and Lead iron oxide. None of the processes of Shodhana had any effect on chemical composition of Nilanjana. The Ashodhit Nilanjana treated groups of animals showed cloudy swelling and congestion of kidney, mild congestion in alveolar septa in lungs and astrocytic proliferation in cerebrum in different numbers of animals in different groups. This was not seen in groups treated with Shodhit Nilanjana.