Tridhatugarbha Pottali – An Overview
Sanath Kumar S1, Kanchan Swami2, Sakhitha K S3, Rajendra Prasad Sharma4, Anupam Srivastava5
1MD Scholar, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana,
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
2PhD Scholar, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana,
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
3Assistant Professor, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana,
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
4Professor, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana,
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
5Professor and Head, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana,
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: ssk.sanath@gmail.com, drkanchanswami@gmail.com, dr.sakhitha@gmail.com, raj147sharma@gmail.com, anupam.rsbk@nia.edu.in
ABSTRACT:
Traditional Chinese medicine has long utilized natural minerals, known as ‘stone drugs,’ for their therapeutic properties, while the Egyptians harnessed metals and minerals for medicinal purposes1.
Similarly, Rasashastra, the ancient Indian science of mercurial preparations, deals with methods of creating potent therapeutic formulations. The core of Rasashastra is the use of mercury to enhance the efficacy of medicines. The primary goal is to transform elements or compounds into safe, potent, and fast-acting drugs that are effective even in minimal doses. This historical wisdom underscores the untapped potential of minerals in advancing medical science2. Currently, there is a pressing need for experts in both modern and traditional medicine to establish standardized preparation methods and perform thorough scientific evaluations to ensure the quality and safety of these mercurial formulations3.
The process of instilling specific therapeutic properties into purified mercury within various compound formulations (with or without sulphur) through diverse pharmaceutical techniques is called ‘murchana’. Depending on the preparation method, murchana results in four types of mercurial formulations: Kharaliya, Kupipakva, Parpati, and Pottali kalpas. Kharaliya kalpas are formulations created through levigation and trituration using a khalva yantra (mortar and pestle). Kupipakva kalpas are those prepared within a kupi (glass bottle). Parpati kalpas are produced in the form of a parpata or wafer. Pottali kalpas are formulations in which drugs are transformed into a dense, tough, and compact form, often taking on a conical shape.
Among these, pottali kalpas are particularly notable for their distinctive preparation method, unique final product, high potency, smaller dosage, and wide therapeutic applications. Pottali kalpas are among the most advanced forms of mercurial medicines available today. They are highly regarded as potent emergency treatments due to their rapid action, stability, long shelf life, portability, ease of dose determination, and remarkable effectiveness even in critical situations. The term 'Pottali' comes from the root word 'Puta', meaning adhesion and being wrapped or enclosed in a pocket. Pottali kalpana is the process that compacts scattered particles into a solid form. In ancient times, physicians were not always available, and those who attended patients had to carry all necessary medicines and tools with them. During transportation, valuable medicines often got damaged. To prevent this, pottali kalpana was developed. Pottali are solid, durable forms of medicine that do not require protective containers or many accessories for administration. Physicians could easily carry pottali in their pockets, making storing and transporting medicines to remote locations easier4. Although Ayurvedic treatises provide extensive theoretical descriptions of pottali, very little research has been conducted on them5. Consequently, a focussed study on Tridhatugarbha pottali was undertaken to address this gap.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The ingredients of Tridhatugarbha pottali as per Rasa Yoga Sagara are:
Table 1: Ingredients of Tridhatugarbha pottali 6
|
Sl. No. |
Constituent |
Quantity |
Proportion |
|
1 |
Naga bhasma (Lead oxide) |
1pala (48g) |
4 parts |
|
2 |
Vanga bhasma (Tin oxide) |
1pala (48g) |
4 parts |
|
3 |
Yashada bhasma (Zinc oxide) |
1pala (48g) |
4 parts |
|
4 |
Parada bhasma (Rasasindura) |
1karsha (12g) |
1 part |
|
5 |
Shuddha gandhaka curna (Purified sulphur) |
1tanka (3g) |
1/4 part |
|
6 |
Suvarna tanu shakala (Swarna bhasma) (Gold calx) |
6ratti (750mg) |
1/16 part |
The main method of preparing pottali involves gandhaka paka (heating in molten gandhaka). It involves bhavana (levigation) of the ingredients with a binding agent, mainly kumari (Aloe vera). After bhavana, a conical shape is given to the pottali and dried under shade. Next, they are wrapped in a silk cloth along with shuddha gandhaka and paka (heating) is carried out in the molten gandhaka taken in a dolayantra (apparatus consisting of a vessel or pot filled with liquid, in which drugs wrapped in a cloth are suspended in the liquid).
Flowchart 1: Steps in preparing Tridhatugarbha pottali
Table 2: Details of pilot study
|
Sl. No. |
Duration of paka |
Weight of pottali before paka |
Characteristics and weight of pottali after paka |
|
1. |
3hrs |
13.1g |
Pottali broke entirely on tapping, 13.4g |
|
2. |
4hrs |
6.1g |
Edges of pottali broke on dropping, 6.3g |
|
3. |
6hrs |
18.3 g |
Spherical pottali broke in half on tapping. The two halves remained intact. 18.8g |
|
4. |
6hrs |
9.2 g |
Intact, 9.6 g |
|
5. |
6hrs |
13.6 g |
Intact, 14.1g |
|
6. |
6hrs |
15.5 g |
Intact, 16 g |
Temperature maintained - 190°C-220°C
In all the 6 pottali, siddhi lakshanas ii, iii and iv were attained.
Pilot Study: A pilot study was conducted to prepare Tridhatugarbha pottali at the Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishjya Kalpana, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur. It was found that a minimum of 6 hours of gandhaka paka was needed to get the desired siddhi lakshanas for Tridhatugarbha pottali.
The siddhi lakshanas include:
1. Intactness of pottali upon dropping
2. Resonance on tapping against metallic surface
3. Change in colour of molten gandhaka to vyoma varna (bluish-black colour)
4. Charring of silk cloth
Fig. 1: Dolayantra with pottali kept in valuka yantra
DISCUSSION:
In recent decades, infertility has impacted an increasing number of couples. Tridhatugarbha pottali is one such pottali and it is indicated mainly in shukradosha (diseases related to semen and sperm) and pradara (menorrhagia, metrorrhagia or leucorrhoea). It is also said as shukravardhaka (enhancing qualities of semen and sperm). All the ingredients of Tridhatugarbha pottali have proven effects on male infertility and exhibit rasayana (rejuvenating) and vrushya (aphrodisiac) properties. Studies have shown that both Naga bhasma7 and Vanga bhasma8 possess testicular regenerative potential by reversing Cadmium-induced testicular degeneration in albino rats when administered orally. Yashada bhasma showed antioxidant properties and a protective effect against stress9. Vanga bhasma is also proven to be effective in pradara10.
Fig. 2: Broken spherical pottali
During the preparation of Tridhatugarbha pottali, gandhaka initially melted and liquified completely upon heating. Subsequently, it thickened and became more viscous, maintaining this viscosity throughout the process. The colour of gandhaka changed from yellow to orange upon melting, then to brown, and finally to bluish-black. This stage can be considered as vyoma varna, and in this stage the surface of the molten gandhaka exhibited a shiny, lustrous, and reflective appearance. The increase in the weight of the pottali after paka may be attributed to the adherence of the added shuddha gandhaka. Based on the pilot study, the minimum duration required for paka is established at 6 hours. For the pilot study, to check feasibility, different shapes of pottali were prepared and among them, the shikharakara (conical-shaped) pottali was found to be the most feasible. Detailed analysis and testing of the pottali will be conducted in future studies, validating its safety and efficacy.
Fig. 3: Intact pottali
CONCLUSION:
Apart from Tridhatugarbha pottali, Hemagarbha pottali, Rajamriganka pottali, and Ratnagarbha pottali are some examples of such renowned pottali in practice. However, its pharmaceutical manufacturing procedure still proves to be a challenging task. It is one of those formulations which needs to have a standard operating procedure for its preparation. The outcomes of the pilot study provide valuable insights in developing standards for Tridhatugarbha pottali. The refined understanding and methodical approach to preparing and applying Tridhatugarbha pottali underscores its potential in treating male infertility and related conditions, facilitating further comprehensive research and clinical applications. These insights can refine the preparation process, ensuring the quality and therapeutic efficacy of the final product. Standardizing the manufacturing procedures for these formulations will enhance their reliability and effectiveness in clinical practice, thereby promoting broader acceptance and use in treating infertility and related conditions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The author would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Karunanidhi Sharma and the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, for their invaluable support and guidance throughout this work.
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Received on 26.05.2024 Modified on 02.07.2024
Accepted on 12.08.2024 ©AJRC All right reserved
Asian J. Research Chem. 2024; 17(4):195-198.