An experimental study to evaluate Gunasankarya (combination of properties)

INTRODUCTION: Gunasankarya implies the combination or admixture of different Guna (properties) in a Dravya (substance). Every Dravya in this world is composed of different Guna varying in their quantity and potency. The final resultant action of the Dravya depends on the combination of Guna and their interaction with each other. AIM: The present study was aimed to explain the manifestation of Karma (action) of a Dravya through its Guna (properties) and to evaluate the effect of the combination of Sheeta Guna (cool property) with different other Guna on digestion and metabolism in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The test drugs Usheera (Vetiveria zizanioides Linn.) and Bala (Sida cordifolia Linn.) were dried and powdered. A total of 18 adult healthy male and female Wistar strain albino rats were grouped randomly into three groups out of which the first was the control group and administered with distilled water. The second and third groups were fed with powder of Usheera and Bala, respectively, in the suspended form in distilled water. Test drugs were administered daily for 12 consecutive days. During the experimental phase, relative food intake, relative water intake, relative urine output, relative stool output, and food conversion ratio were recorded on the 3(rd), 6(th), 9(th), and 12(th) day among which the 3(rd) day was considered as the initial day for the assessment, whereas body weight was measured from the 1(st) day of the study. Throughout the study, the main focus was on how these parameters change in Usheera and Bala-treated rats which are having different combinations of Guna with reference to the control group. RESULTS: Both Usheera and Bala groups showed a nonsignificant increase in relative food and water intake, nonsignificant increase in relative urine output, significant decrease in relative stool output, and significant increase in food conversion ratio. Body weight was nonsignificantly increased in Usheera group, whereas it was nonsignificantly decreased in Bala group. This study aimed to show how the Guna are interacting and resulting in Karma either by dominating or suppressing or giving a combined effect of Guna. This study provides initial data regarding the concept of Gunasankarya (combination of properties). CONCLUSION: The study concludes that all the Guna in a Dravya interact and exhibit their resultant action, i.e., Karma based on Gunasankarya, with emphasis on example of assessment of the effects of Sheeta Guna Dravya, namely, Usheera and Bala on physiological parameters (digestion and metabolism) have been assessed experimentally in animal models to evaluation of the combination of Guna.