Comparative anti-hyperlipidemic activity of <i>Tamra</i> <i>Bhasma </i>(incinerated copper) prepared from (purified) and <i>Ashodhita</i> <i>Tamra </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">(raw copper) </span>

Abstract

In Ayurveda, metals are converted into <i>Bhasmas</i> for internal consumption by processing them through various processes like <i>Shodhana </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">(purification and/or detoxification), <i>Marana </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">(incineration)<i>, </i>etc. and then used in the treatment of various diseases. These procedures not only decrease the possible harmful effects of metals but also said to increase their bio-availability and thus efficacy. In <i>Rasashastra </i>classics, due emphasis has been given to the <i>Shodhana</i> procedure. One of the most popularly used metallic preparations is <i>Tamra</i> <i>Bhasma</i> (incinerated copper) and it is said to be very harmful if its <i>Shodhana</i> is not done or if it is improperly prepared. <i>Tamra</i> <i>Bhasma</i> has been advocated in the treatment of <i>Medoroga</i> (lipid disorders), <i>Hridroga</i> (cardiac disorders), etc. and role of copper in lipid disorders is well documented fact. In the present study, a comparative anti-hyperlipidemic activity of unpurified (<i>Ashodhita</i>) and purified (<i>Shodhita</i>) <i>Tamra</i> was carried out to know the effect of <i>Shodhana </i>on efficacy. The hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding high fat diet in Wistar strain albino rats. The parameters including body weight, weight of various organs, serum lipid profile and histopathology of liver, kidney, heart and aorta were studied. The results of this study suggests that <i>Tamra Bhasma</i> prepared from <i>Shodhita</i> <i>Tamra</i> is having significant anti-hyperlipidemic activity, while <i>Ashodhita</i> <i>Tamra</i> <i>Bhasma</i> is lack of such effects. Also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ashuddha</i> sample proved to possess cardio-toxic effect. This shows that the <i>Rasashastriya</i> <i>Shodhana</i> procedure have definite role in not only increasing the efficacy of the drug but also in removing the toxicity.

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