Chemical characterization of an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral preparation- Mahalaxmivilas Rasa

BACKGROUND: To protect the massive trust of patient in Ayurveda, a need aroused for the researches to ascertain the quality, safety & efficacy of herbo-mineral preparations on scientific lines. The rasa-aushadhis are having qualities such as instant effectiveness, requirement in very small dosage and ample therapeutic utility. Mahalaxmi Vilas Rasa [AFI, 20:27] has been used for treatment of a variety of ailments since time immemorial. OBJECTIVE: To prepare Mahalaxmi Vilas Rasa as per standard operating procedures (SoPs) mentioned in classical text and to characterize it chemically using modern analytical techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The drug (Mahalaxmi Vilas Rasa) in three batches was prepared in GMP certified pharmacy. Physico-chemical analysis, HPTLC, Assay of elements by AAS & ICP-AES were carried out as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was conducted using Rigaku Ultima-IV X-ray diffractometer. RESULTS: The elemental analysis shown the presence of Mercury, Sulphur, Calcium, Copper, Gold, Iron & Tin etc. and HPTLC revealed presence of organic constituents from plant material. The XRD had indicated that prepared drug contained free sulphur, cinnabar (mercury sulphide added as Kajjali), cassiterite (tin oxide, Vanga Bhasma), orpiment (Hartal, arsenic III sulphide) and mica (Leucite/ Zeolite, Abhrak Bhasma). The drug was also tested for residual pesticide and microbiological contamination which were found within permissible limits. CONCLUSION: Classical pharmaceutical procedures of Mahalaxmi Vilas Rasa showed converting the macro elements into therapeutically effective medicines of micro form. Standards laid down in this study certainly utilized as an important tool for standardization and quality assurance of this herbo-mineral formulation.