The Structural and Thermal properties of Badarashma Pishti

Background

Lapis judaicus, or Jews stone (Badarashma), has been used in treating kidney and bladder stones since ancient times by Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal practitioners. A limited number of studies have been carried out using Ayurvedic preparations derived from gems or precious stones that were used traditionally. In Ayurveda, Rasa Shastra includes the fabrication of Bhasmas and Pishti.

Objective

This study aimed to prepare and characterize Badarashma Pishti formulation (Lapis judaicus microparticles) and investigate its structural and thermal properties.

Materials and methods

The microparticles were prepared by subjecting purified powder of Lapis judaicus to a wet levigation (Bhavana) process. Characterizations were done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-gravimetry analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Physicochemical characterization, elemental analysis, particle size distribution study, and identification of heavy metals were also performed.

Results

A standard operating procedure was developed to formulate Badarashma Pishti. The obtained microparticles were irregularly shaped with a size of 4.290 ± 0.472 μm, confirmed in SEM images. The FTIR and XRD of prepared Badarashma Pishti samples revealed the presence of calcite, quartz, and aragonite minerals. The results of EDAX also confirmed the presence of Ca, Mg, O, and Si elements.

Conclusion

The proposed study results reveal great insights for determining the authenticity, purity, and standardization parameters of inorganic mineral drugs, proving to be a useful delivery system for treating renal calculi.