Published Paper Details:

Rasashastra is a pharmaceutical branch of Ayurveda which mainly deals with the metals, minerals, animal origin products, toxic herbs and their use in therapeutics. There are specific criteria mentioned for identification in ancient texts about the selection of raw material to be taken for drug formulations. As the Identification (i.e. standardization) of raw material is the foundation of quality final product Here in this study, Abhrak was the drug selected for identification. Twelve samples were procured from various pharmacies and markets. These samples were assessed on the basis of organoleptic proforma and special tests. One Grahya and One Agrahya sample were further assessed with the help of physico-chemical and Instrumental analysis. The findings from ancient literature and modern analytical technique were found to be similar. The standardized sample was then further subjected to Shodhana in two different media i.e; Godugdh and Gomutra. Observational charts were maintained during the procedure. The results of the pharmaceutico-analytical techniques used (SEM-EDC) showed that the Godugdh Shodhit sample showed a 48.46 % reduction in Arsenic compared to the ashuddha abhrak, whereas the Gomutra Shodhit Abhrak showed a 31.90 % reduction in Arsenic as compared to the Ashuddha Abhrak sample. There was more reduction in percent weight of Aluminium, Silica, Iron and Potassium in Godugdh Shodhit Abhrak as compared to Gomutra Shodhit Abhrak. According to present study, it can be concluded that Godugdh may serve as more efficient media for Shodhana of Abhrak as compared to Gomutra.