Tamra in Rasa Shastra with its Recent Advances in

Pharmaceutics & Therapeutics

Vandana Meena
M.D. Scholar
Deptt. of Rasa Shasstra
IMS, BHU, Varanasi
• Introduction of Swarna
• Swarna in Ayurvedic Classics
• Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Advancements
• Silent Significance
• Therapeutics & its Advancements
• Conclusion
• References
 Swarna ?

Sanskrit- सुवर्णम्,
Symbol- Au (Aurum),
Atomic No. 79, Atomic Wt. 197.2,
Specific Gravity- 19.32
Hardness- 2.5- 3,
Melting point- 1065 C.

Native form- found mixed with sand particles in Sphatika stones

Compound form- Caleverite ( Au Te2), Sylvenite {(Au, Ag)Te2}, Kalgoorlite {(Au, Ag, Hg)Te2}.

Grahya Lakshan- दाहे रक्तं सितं छे दे सिकषे कुङ् कुमप्रभम् I

गुरु सिग्ध मृदु स्वच्छ सिदद लं रक्तपीतकम् II
हेम षोडशवर्ाद आद्यं शस्यते दे हलोहयोोः II (आ० क०)
• Symbol of Wealth & Jewelry

• Ingestion of gold in ancient time

• Ideal Currency

• In dentistry gold is used as dental alloy

• Gold use as Astronauts helmet in NASA

• Growing practical uses of gold in electronics

• Current applications of gold in medical devices

 Swarna in Ayurvedic Classics

• Veda: In Rig-Veda it is mentioned that Ratha Chakra (Wheel of Chariot) of Surya16 is made
by gold. Yajurveda described six Dhatu along with Suvarna & it is quoted as Harita in
Athervaveda.

• Charaka Samhita : Jihva Nirlekhana , Nabhi Kartana , Vasti Netra Karnika , Suvarna
Bhajana ,, Teekshna Soochi Shastra , Alankritam , Parthiva Dravya Ganana.

Formulations: Brahma Rasayana 2, Lohadi Rasayana , Indrokta Rasayana , Pana Yoga

(Raktapitta hara), Churna Yoga (Visha hara), Purusha Anupramanam under Pumsavana
Karma.

• Sushruta Samhita: Included Swarna under Parthiva Dravya and has mentioned the properties
of Swarna as Tridosahara, Visapaham, Bruhaniya, Chakhsushya, Rasayana, Hrudya, Madhura
Rasa and Shita Virya.

• Astangahrudaya: Swarna is mentioned under Madhurgana.

• Koutilya Arthashastra-: Rasa Viddha Suvarna i.e Gold prepared by transmutation of
base metal (mercury).
• Rasendra Mangal-: नागे न हे मम्
• Rasarnava- : आवर्णमाने कनके पीर्ा
• Rasa Kam Dhenu-: स्वर्ं र्ु ववद्ध्यविभवम्
• Yagyavalk-: अिौ सुवर्णमक्षीर्म्
• Yoga Ratnakar-: स्वर्णचम्पकवर्ाण भं
• Rasendra Chudamani-: Raja Yakshma, Swasa, Kasa, Pandu etc
• Rasa Tarangini-: Vrishya, Balya, Rasayana, Medhya, Ayushya, Ojo Vardhaka, Vayah
sthapaka etc.
Shodhana

• Samanya :
तैले तक्रे गवां मूत्रे ह्यरिाले कुलत्थजेोः I..
स्वर्ादसदलोहपत्रार्ां शुद्धिरे षा प्रशस्यते II

• Vishesha :

The Swarna Patra (Gold foils) are to be wrapped with Kalka (paste) of
Panchamrttika and Nimbu Swarasa and then kept in Samputa and heated
with Vanya Upalas (Laghuputa). When Samputa becomes Swangashita, the
Patra (gold foils) are to be washed with hot water and then dried.
Marana:
कृत्वा कण्टकवेध्यासि स्वर्दपत्रासर् लेपयेत् I
लुङ्गाम्बु भ्स्मिूतेि सियते दशसभोः पुटेोःII (र०र०ि०)

Quantitatively SB is a combination of metallic Gold (96.76%), silica

(1.14%), ferric oxide (0.14%), Lime (0.55%), phosphates (0.78%), potash
(0.16%), salt (0.078%), sulphate (0.15%), moisture (0.24%) and traces of
copper and magnesium.

Dose: 15 mg to 30 mg (Rasa Tarangini)

Anupan: Honey, Marich churna + Ghrita, Trikatu churna+ Ghrita
Apathya: Bilva Phala
 Ayurvedic Property Swarna Varieties
Rara( Taste) Madhura, Kashaya

Guna(Main Laghu, Snigdha,

Quality)
Chanakya Rasarnava Rasa
Virya (Potency) Shita • 1.Prakrita Prakash
sudhakar
(Natural)
Vipaka Madhura • 2.Sahaja • 1.Rasa
(From mine) (From
(Resultant) transformatio • 1. Khanija
• 3.Vahnisam
n of (From
Prabhav (Action) Immunomodulatory & Alterative bhuta (from mercury) mines)
Agni) • 2.Ksetraja • 2. Rasaja
• 4.Khanija (From (From
Dosha Karma Pacifices Tridhosa but mainly on Pitta Dosha (From mines) transformatio
mines) • 3.Lohasanka n of
(Effect on mercury)
• 5.Rasa raja
Humors) (From
Vedhaja transformatio
Dhatu (Effect on Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa & Shukra (From n of
Tissue) mercurial metal)
transformati
on)
Organs Effects Whole body specially on Nerves, Brain,
Lungs, Hearts, Blood Vessels, Intestines,
Ovaries & Testes
Silent Significance

अल्पमात्रोपयोसगत्वात् अरुचेरप्रिंगतोःI
सिप्रमारोग्यदासयत्वात् औषधेभ्योअसधको रिोःII

( र०िा०िं०)

Quicker action
Broader range
Smaller dose
Longer shelf life
 Name of Drug Dose (in mg) Disease

Brhat Vata Cintamani 125 Vatavyadhyadhikara (Diseases

Rasa of nervine origin)

Vasant Kusumakar Rasa 125-250 Prameha (Diabetes)

Name of Dose Indications
Book Swasa Kasa Chintamani 250 Swasa, Kasa (Asthma, Cough)
Rasa
Rasa Ratna 2 Ratti Kshya, Agnimandya,
Samucchya Swasa, Ojo dhatu Purna Chandrodaya Rasa 125- 250 Rasayana, Vajikarana
Vardhaka (Immunomodulator,
Aphrodisiac)
Rasa Prakash ½ Ratti Kanti vardhana,, Visha Brahmi Vati 125-250 Manoroga, Hrid daurbalya
(Mental disorders, Heart
Sudhakar nashaka, Prevents diseases)
ageing on using 20 Jayamangala Rasa 250 Jirna Jwara (Chronic fever)
years
Ayurved 1Yava- 8 Vrishya, Netrya, Kumarkalyana Rasa 62.5 Bala Rogadhikara (Paediatric
diseases)
Prakash Ratti Medhya, Unmadhar
Sutasekhara Rasa 250 Amlapitta Chikitsa (Acidity)
Rasa 1/8- ¼ Punsavanopypgi,
Tarangini Ratti Vishhar, Varnya Brhat Garbha 250 Sutika Roga Chikitsa (Puerperal
Chintamani Rasa diseases)
Rasamrit 1/8- ¼ Vishaghna, , Rasayana,
Ratti Yakshma har Suvarna Malini Vasant 125 Rajayakshma (Tuberculosis)
Rasa
 Baidyanath Dhootapapeshwar Dabur
Ingrdients Gold Ash, Ingrdients Shuddha Ingrdients Gold leaf,
lemon juice, Suvarna, Parad, Ras
Ras sindur Gandhak & sindur, lem
Availability 1gm, Nimbu Swarasa on juice
500mg, Availability 500mg,125
125mg Availability 100 mg, 200 mg, mg
500 mg, 1 gm, 10 15.5 – 62.5
Dosage
Dosage 20 -50 mg gm mg once to
twice daily twice daily or
with honey Dosage 1 to 2 tab (15 - 30
125 mg once
mg) 2 to 3 times a every
day alternate day
after food
Prize of 1gm Rs. 7,871.40 Prize of Rs. 9,618.00
SB 1gm SB Prize of 500mg (Rs. 3,090)
SB
 Swarna Vark
 In Sona Chandi Chyavanprash Vark of
Sona (Gold) 0.0584mg & Vark of
Chandi (Silver) 32.80mg.

 Edible gold leaf has no taste, texture,

calories, or expiration date.

 In Japan & China gold leaf is used to

decorate traditional pastries, as well as
certain lamb-based delicacies served at
weddings and religious festivals.

FDA & Agency for Toxic Substances and

Disease Registry doesn’t consider gold
a toxic substance & 23-karat gold leaf
safe for consumption.
 Gold in Cosmetics

• Wrinkles, fine lines, spots can be

reduced

• Stimulates the skin cells

• Premature aging of the skin can be

prevented

• Lighten the complexion

• Collagen depletion is slowed down

Active Ingredients -24 Carat Gold leaves,

Aloe Vera, Wheat Germ oil, Tangerine,
Jojoba oil
 Colloidal gold
Pharmaceutics
• Colloidal gold is a sol or colloidal
suspension of submicrometre
size nanoparticles of gold in a fluid, usually
water. The liquid is usually either an intense
red color (for particles less than 100 nm) or
blue/purple (for larger particles).
• Due to the unique optical, electronic and
molecular-recognition properties of gold
nanoparticles in colloidal form is
applicable in wide variety of areas as-
electronmicroscopy, electronics, nanotec
hnology and materials science..
Therapeutics*
• A standardised colloidal gold (Tyndall’s
purple) was prepared by reduction of
chloroauric acid with sodium citrate in
classically prepared SB at 22°C with
average particle size of 27 +/- 3 nm &
seen no change in composition over six
months when suspensions were stored
at 4°C.
• Anti-arthritic activities of colloidal
gold –
 Effective when administered
subcutaneously
 Ineffective when given orally
*Christopher L Brown ,Nanogoldpharmaceutics , Gold
Bulletin 2007 , 40/3
Gold for all
Adults

Fetus/ Infant Old Age

 Achintya Prabhava

• Sushruta : Eating in suvarna

plate improves sight and balances
all three doshas.

• Vagbhat : The prescribed drugs to

be given through spoon made of
gold.

• Swarna Dhatu is wore for Guru or

Brihaspati graha Nivarana (Jupiter
Remedies).
 Absorption & Blood Compatibility of SB

• Gold nanoparticles in SB ranged 28-

35nm in size.

• Typically <58nm sized particle reaches

to blood from intestine villus through
single, degrading entrecotes process.

• SB preparations neither induce any

blood cell aggregation nor cytotoxic but
shows Blood compatibility.

• It possibly can release Au(I) ions in a

sustained manner required for
therapeutic action.
 Contd..
sn Swarna % in Usefulness in Different
formulations disorders

1 <10% yakhsma, diseases of

gastrointestinal tracts

2 11-20% Vata vyadhi, Prameha which

may be developed mainly due
to disturbance of immunity at
any stage of disease process

3 <10% as well as Jwara that may occur either

between 11% pathogens or disturbances in
and 20% of immunity
swarna
 Cancer

• SB powder (50 mg/day) per-orally prescribed

for 1 year or till disease progression or
appearance of intolerable side effects.

• The response was best in rectal cancer group

70% (7/10). Nearly 41.02% patients survived
for 1 year after treatment. Lung, gall bladder,
and liver showed 40%, 40%, and 37.5%
response, respectively. Poor response was noted
in pancreas group (16.66%).

• Gold nanoparticles can act as tiny heaters for

enhanced rate of heating & this potential action
is applicable as hyperthermia in cancer therapy.

Das Soumen et al,. Swarna Bhasma in cancer: A prospective clinical study, AYU, 2012 Jul-Sep; 33(3): 365–367
 Tuberculosis/Yakshma
Compound Reference SB %
name
• Robert Koch (1930) demonstrated that
gold compounds were active against , gram Raj Mriganka R.R.S. 14/14-17 SB 12
–ve & gram +ve stains of Mycobacterium Rasa
tuberculosis in vitro and also against
mycoplasma, protozoan, Leishmania. Tralokyachinta R.S.S. SB 10
mani Rasa 2/264-266

• Gold shows excellent biocompatibility and Kshyakeshari R.S.S. 2/88-86 SB 04

high resistance to bacterial colonization. Rasa

Kanak Sundar R.S.S. 2/27-33 SB 03

Rasa
• Swarna bhasma is effective in first &
second stage . In third stage, lesion in the Vrihat BR 14/111-116 SB <01
lung increases the loss of body tissue and Chndramrita
Rasa
decreases the strength of the person. In this
stage person suffers from a severe under Ratna garbh BR. 14/182-187 SB 09
nutrition, malabsorption of food, effective pottali
loss of lung tissues hence there is no
Hema garbh BR 14/178-181 SB 16
effective remedy to treat in Ayurveda. pottali
 Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Gold drugs comprise a class of distinctive anti-

arthritic agents the DMARDS used when
NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, naproxen and
diclofenac sodium are insufficient to treat
severe cases of rheumatoid or psoriatic
arthritis.

• Gold has an effect on synovial membrane and

collagen to prevent joint destruction, may
induce healing of bony erosions and also it is
good immune modulator.

• Gold compounds have the ability to decrease

concentrations of rheumatic factors which
influences the immunological responses.

• Gold suppresses the anaphylactic release of

histamine more effectively than gluco-
corticoids .
 Future Fortune

• सववेः गुर्ाेः काञ्चनं आश्रयन्ेेःI • Problems behind manufacturing of

Gold preparations.
• Gold compounds are also reported for
– • The efficacy of orally administered
gold is even more limited than inject
able gold compounds.
 Anti-HIV activity
 Treatment of bronchial asthma • Chrysiasis - i.e. excessive intake of
 Anti-malarial agents gold salts
 Acute renal failure
 Therapy- Chrysotherapy & Aurotherapy.
 Golden pigmentation of the skin & hair.

K. Yamaguchi, H. Ushijima, M. Hisano, Y. Inoue, T. Shimamura, T. Hirano, E. G. W. Muller, Microbiol. Immunol. 2001, 45, 549
 Conclusion

• Gold therapy has been a component of the physicians stock in

trade since the earliest days of civilization.
• Swarna has been used for various purposes in the form of pure
metal, combined formulations or Bhasma along with various
Anupana.

• Regulation of gene transcription by the gold compounds play

an important part in a number of diseases including oncogene
expression in cancer and cytokine production in inflammatory
disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.
 References

 Sadananda Sharma. ‘Rasa Tarangini’. 15/69-71, New Delhi, India: Motilal Banarasidas; 1998.
 Sharma S, Rasa T, SwarnaBhasma and gold compounds, MotilalBanarasidas, Varanasi, 1979, pp 116.
R Vagabhataa, S Ratan, DA Kulkarni, The Role of Media in the Preparation of VangaBhasma,
MeharchandLachhmandas Publications, New Delhi, 1998, pp 1-139.
Yadav and Chaudhary: Disease wise variation of Swarna Bhasma , International Journal of Green
Pharmacy , April-June 2015 , PP 90-94.
Das Soumen et al,. Swarna Bhasma in cancer: A prospective clinical study, AYU, 2012 Jul-Sep;
33(3): 365–367.
Paul W, Sharma CP. Blood compatibility studies of Swarna bhasma (gold bhasma),
an Ayurvedic drug.Int J Ayurveda Res. 2011;2:14–22.
Strong JS, Bartholomew BA, Immunoresponsiveness of patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving
cyclophosphamide or gold salts. Ann. Rheum Dis 1973;32:233-7.
K. Yamaguchi, H. Ushijima, M. Hisano, Y. Inoue, T. Shimamura, T. Hirano, E. G. W. Muller,
Microbiol. Immunol. 2001, 45;549.
Khedekar, et al., SMP of Makaradhwaja, AYU , Jan-Mar 2011, Vol: 32 (1)
Christopher L Brown ,Nanogoldpharmaceutics , Gold Bulletin 2007 , 40/3
Galib, et al.: Metals in Charaka Samhita , J-AIM, 2(2), 2011, PP: 54-63