Pharmaceutico- analytical study of Somanathi tamra bhasma with and without Amritikarana

Introduction: Somanathi Tamra Bhasma (STB) is a unique Tamra Bhasma preparation quoted for the first time in Rasendra chudamani. Amritikarana is exclusively mentioned for Tamra Bhasma (~ calcined copper) , which is said to eliminate all the blemishes from the end product. The rationale of Amritikarana in the safety of Tamra bhasma prepared by multiple incineration cycles has already been evaluated. Although few studies have been carried out on STB, the actual impact of the Amritikarana procedure after its preparation has not been evaluated till date. Aim: To prepare the STB with Amritikarana (STBA) and to develop its preliminary analytical profile. Materials and Methods: Three batches of STBA were prepared by following the classical guidelines. STB and STBA were subjected to organoleptic parameters, physicochemical and sophisticated analysis like X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Inductive Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen-Sulfur-Oxygen (CHNS-O), and Field Emission Gun-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM). Results: STBA requires intermittent heating pattern with duration of 12 h, i.e. 3 h of Mridu agni, 6 h of Madhyam agni , and 3 h of Tikshna agni . Average 45.86% yield was observed in STB and average 12.85% weight loss was observed after its Amritikarana . XRD shows the presence of Cuprite, Chalcocite, Anilite, Antlerite, Clinocase, and Enargite phases as the major phases in STB and the presence of Cuprite, Chalcocite, and Antlerite in STBA. XRD analysis revealed the presence of Chalcocite in major phases. The FEG-SEM revealed visualized particles of STB between 14.585 nm ± and 145.476 nm ±, and STBA between 16.425 nm ± and 128.344 nm±. Percentage of arsenic and mercury was reduced after Amritikarana in ICP-AES analysis. In CHNS-O analysis, both samples showed variations in the percentage of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Conclusion: The study results revealed that STB can be prepared by gradual increase in the temperature pattern. Organoleptically, major difference was not found between STB and STBA, but analytically significant differences were noted in both samples, which may be further evidenced with higher characterization studies.