Rasakarpur 1

Physico-chemical evaluation of Rasakarpura Journal:- Journal of Ayurveda Author:- Dr Neky Mehta Dr B Ravishankar Dr P K Prajapati -Ptd by Dr Savita Bhosale

Introduction Rasakarpura is a Nirgandha type of Kupipakva

Rasa preparation. It is prepared by using Parada,Gandhakamla and Saindhava as ingredients and claimed to be chloride compound of mercury.  Physico-chemical analysis provides the objective parameters to fix up the standards for quality of raw drugs, intermediate process and materials as well as finished product.

Contd…. Analytical study of a drug also helps to interpret the

pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic of the same in suitable manner. It is the need of present era for a scientific explanation to

understand the concept of Ayurveda. In this study an attempt was made to evaluate the

rasakarpura as physico-chemically.

Materials and Methods. Materials. Three steps: Preparation of Parada Churna. Mixing of Paradachurna ahd Saindhava Lavana. Sublimation of final product. Parada churna- 1part parada+1.5 part Ghandhakamla. Paradachurna and Saindhava lavana were triturated for

30min. Subjected for heat 12hrs in EMF Finally Rasakarpura is collected.

Samples analysed were Samples I: Parada Churna Samples II: Rasakarpura Samples III: Residue obtained from Kupi Analysis of Sample I Parada churna: Estimation of mercury Analysis of Sample II Rasakarpura A. Evaluation on classical method: Colour, Odour,Texture. B. Evaluation on modern parameters: a) Qualitative analysis for Hgcl2:

Contd…. To an aqueous solution of the sample ammonia solution

was added drop wise and any change was noted and compared. It was carried out  By adding Diluted HCl. By adding H2S solution. By adding KI solution. By adding NaOH solution. By addingNH4OH solution

Contd…. Quantitative Analysis: i)Loss on drying. ii) Ash value iii)Determination of water soluble matter. iv)Estimation of Mercury. v) Estimation of chlorine. vi) Inductively coupled plasma Analysis Analysis of Sample III Estimation of Mercury.

Observation and Results. Analysis of Sample I Parada churna: Mercury 65.82% Sulphate 31.50% Analysis of Sample II Rasakarpura

Parameters 1.Shabda 2.Sparsha 3.Rupa

Rasakarpura N.S Corrosive White crystals

4.Gandha

N.S

Table-1 contd…..

5. By adding ammonia 6. By adding dilute HCL 7. By adding H2S solution 8. By adding NaOH solution 9. By adding KI solution 10. Loss on drying 11. Ash value 12. % of water solubility 13. %of Hg 14. %of HgCl2 15. % of Cl2

White precipitate No precipitate White yellow,black precipitate Yellow precipitate Orange clour 0.18 N.S 98.21 72.38 97.98 25.60

Data of ICP analysis of Rasakarpura Table-2

Elements Mercury

Sample of Rasakarpura (mg/kg) 698570.00

Sodium

71.6520

Magnesium

08.1363

Calcium

15.7630

Discussion It reveals that the major constitute of rasakarpura is

mercury. 71.65mg/kg of sodium,08.13mg/kg magnesium and 15.76mg/kg calcium were also evaluated in trace form. This analysis indicates that Rasakarpura is not the pure form of mercuric chloride, but sodium, magnesium and calcium are also found into the trace amount in it. The quantitative estimation of percentage of mercury is supported by the result of ICP. Qualitative test for mercury was found to be negative in residue.

Conclusion Rasakarpura should be considered as cocktail of

mercuric chloride as major constituent and Sodium, Magnesium and Calcium as trace elements.

PHARMACEUTICAL STANDARDIZATION OF RASAKARPURA

Neky J. Mehta **B. Ravishankar ***P. K. Prajapati

 Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda,

Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar

Abstract: Rasakarpura, a Nirgandha type of Kupipakva Rasayana, used to cure skin disease. Although various references of Rasakarpura preparation are described in different Rasa Shastra classics but for the present study the reference of Rasatarangini (6/65-71) was selected. Rasakarpura is prepared with Parada, concentrated sulphuric acid and Saindhava Lavana in the ratio of 1: 1½ and approx 1½ respectively by using Valuka Yantra in Classical method within 9 hours of heat treatment and in Mechanized method by using electric muffle furnace (EMF) within 12 hours of heat treatment. Analytical study was done to find out its major chemical constitutes i.e. mercuric chloride along with sodium, magnesium and calcium as trace elements for product standardization.

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