PHARMACEUTICAL STUDY OF GANDHAKA DRUTI USING TWO DIFFERENT MEDIA AND EVALUATION OF ITS ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

Background of the study: Druti Kalpana is a particular procedure where hard and dense metals and minerals are converted into a liquefied state. The various lakshanas of druti are Nirlepatvam, Drutatvam, Tejastvam, Laghuta, Drutam Yogasca sutena. The importance of selection of shodhanan media in Rasashastra to serve different therapeutic benefits was highlighted. The classical methods of Gandhaka shodhana and Gandhaka Druti nirmana as per Rasaratna samucchaya was taken. This study is an attempt to develop a standard operating procedure of Gandhaka druti and to prove its antimicrobial property. Objectives- To study the Shodhana of Gandhaka with different media. To develop a standard operating procedure of Gandhaka Druti.and to evaluate its anti-microbial activity. Methodology- The pharmaceutical study of Gandhaka shodhana was done by Dhalana in Bhringaraja Swarasa and Godugdha and then Gandhaka druti was done separately (Sample1 and Sample 2). This Sample1 and Sample 2 of Gandhaka druti was sent for antimicrobial study in authenticated laboratory. Observations & Results: The key observations of Gandhaka shodhana was that in sample 1, the shodhita Gandhaka had brownish yellow color and in sample 2, the shodhita Gandhaka had bright yellow color. The resultant quantity of druti obtained was 250 ml and 240 ml from Sample 1 and Sample 2 respectively. For sample 1 (Gandhaka druti in Bhringaraja media) shows minimal anti-microbial activity at the dose of 60mg/ml – inhibition area-11 mm and maximum activity at 180 mg/dl- inhibition area 15 mm. For sample 2 (Gandhaka druti in Godugdha media) shows minimal anti-microbial activity at the dose of 60mg/ml - inhibition area 10 mm and maximum activity at 180 mg/dl - inhibition area 20 mm. Discussion & Conclusion: In sample 1, the shodhita Gandhaka had brownish yellow color which may be due to the Bhringaraja Swarasa. Brownish tinge to the Gandhaka was imparted due to the kesaranajna property of Bhringaraja.In sample 2, the shodhita Gandhaka had bright yellow color. The color of Gandhaka was enhanced by Godugdha. After varti of Gandhaka was soaked, around 300 ml and 290 ml of taila was absorbed by varti of Sample 1 and Sample 2 respectively. The resultant quantity of druti obtained was 250 ml and 240 ml from Sample 1 and Sample 2 respectively. Gandhaka druti made in Godugdha media shows better antimicrobial activity than Gandhaka druti in Bhringaraja media.