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Introduction

Ayurveda deals with the threeavailable natural resources for itsmedicaments. These are plant resourcesor vegetative products, animal resourceslike-blood, urine, milk, ghee (clarifiedbutter), horn, musk, etc. and mineralresources1. Minerals and metals areprocessed and extensively usedtherapeutically in bhasma (calcifiedpowder) from prior to the 3rd centuryA.D2. The Buddhist philosopher Nagarjunais the father of metallic medicine in India.Subsequently a special branch ofmedicine, i.e. Rasa-Sastra (Alchemy) wasdeveloped which deals with herbo-mineralproducts. The books on Rasa-Sastra like— Kakshyaputa tantra, Rasa RatnaSammuchaya, Rasa tarangini,Rasayoga sagar, Rasendra sara

samgraha, Bhaisaya Ratnabali, etc.were mostly composed during 8th centuryand there after2. The zinc containingformulations were used externally during2nd century A.D., whereas internal use ofthese formulations is reported from 14th

century onwards3.Zinc (Zn) is a trace element and

an essential nutrient in humans. It plays avital role in all physiological processes. Itis a component of many metal-proteinsand enzymes. Its functions in cells andtissues depend on those metalo-proteinsand enzymes with which it is associated4.The daily Zn requirement varies with age,sex and growth state of the body. It isapproximately 10-20mg/day in normaladult and 20-25mg/day for a pregnant ladyto provide extra zinc for the growingfoetus5. Absorption of zinc in the smallintestine is decreased by fibres, Phytic

acid, calcium and copper and increasedby remainder glucose, amino acid,peptide and other chelating agents. Nearly90% of Zn is inside the cells and theremainder in plasma and extra cellularfluid. Plasma Zn is the source of metalfor cellular needs. In brain the highestamounts of Zinc are in hippocampus andcerebral cortex. Plasma Zn level isdecreased in pregnancy and with the useof oral contraceptives, in catabolic statessuch as trauma, burns or a surgery and inhaemolytic and sickle cell anemia. PlasmaZn is also decreased with acute myocardialinfarction infection, malignancy, hepatitisand many other diseases. The systemsinvolved and influenced by Zinc includethe reproductive, neurological, immune,dermatological and gastro-intestinalsystems. Zinc deficient cells fail to divideand differentiate with consequence growthimpairment, tissue with high rate ofturnover in skin and gastro-intestinalmucosa. It also helps in wound healingand development of cell-mediatedimmunity6. Zinc is widely distributed invegetarian and non-vegetarian foodstuffs.The bioavailability of zinc in vegetable islow. Animal foods such as meat, milk,fish, etc. are dependable sources of zinc7.Zinc toxicity occurs by inhalation of zincfumes (by welder), oral ingestion ofmedicine and zinc contaminated food andwater or intravenous administration. Thetoxic symptoms are gastric ulcer,pancreatitis, lethargy, anemia, nausea,

Zinc in Ayurvedic herbo-mineral productsAshok Kumar Panda1* and Suvendu Rout2

1Regional Research Institute (Ayurveda), Tadong, Gangtok -737102, Sikkim, India2Sri Jayendra Saraswati Ayurveda College, Chennai-602 103, Tamil Nadu, India

* Correspondent author, E-mail: akpanda_06@yahoo.co.inReceived 1 June 2005; Accepted 17 March 2006

Abstract

Zinc is a trace element and plays a vital role in all physiological processes in humans. Ithas been introduced as a drug in the prevention and treatments of diseases since last two decades.The Ayurvedic physicians have practiced both oral and topical applications of zinc after sodhana(purification) and marana (calcification) before 14th century A.D. Rasaka or Kharpara(zinc ore or zinc carbonate), Yasada (zinc metal), Puspanjana (zinc oxide) and Pittala(brass) are zinc-containing minerals used as therapeutic agents in Ayurveda. Rasaka orKharpara are found in most (20 i.e. 66.66%) of the formulations, Yasada (zinc metal) in 5(16.66%), Pittala (brass) in 4 (13.33%) and Puspanjana (zinc oxide) is used in oneformulation. Therapeutic uses of zinc in Ayurveda and modern system of medicine have beendiscussed in this paper.

Keywords: Alchemy, Bhasma, Yasada, Zinc metal, Puspanjana, Zinc oxide, Pittala, Brass,Rasaka or Kharpara, Zinc ore, Zinc carbonate.

IPC code; Int. cl.7 — A61K 33/30

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Vol 5(4) July-August 2006 285

vomiting, respiratory distress andpulmonary fibrosis. This may be due toimpaired chemotaxis, phagocytosis,pinocytosis and platelet aggregation8.

Zinc is mostly used asneutraceutical products in the form of zincsulphate or zinc sulphate monohydrate.Zinc phosphates are used for killingcockroaches and rats. Calamine and zincoxide are used as adsorbent and flexibleocclusive coating in skin and used asplaster, powder, etc9.

Zinc in Ayurvedic literature

Elementary zinc is referred asYasada in Ayurveda. Rasaka orKharpara (zinc ore or zinc carbonate),Yasada (zinc metal), Puspanjana (zincoxide) and Pittala (brass) are zinccontaining minerals used as therapeuticagents in Ayurveda10. The term Yasadaand the therapeutic uses of zinc are not

found in the major classical texts likeCharaka Samhita, Susruta Samhitaand Astanga Hridaya11. But the zinc-containing alloy Pittala is found in theabove said classical texts of Ayurveda.Sarangadhara was the first author todescribe about the medicinal uses ofYasada in 14th century. The Ayurvedicphysicians have practiced both oral andtopical applications of zinc afterSodhana (purification) and marana(calcification). All zinc containing metalsare cold in potency (sheeta virya),astringent in taste and indicated inKapha, pitta disorders except pittalawhich is hot in potency and bitter intaste12. The common indications of zinccontaining metals are eye diseases, uro-genital pathology, general debility andemaciation, anemia, toxic conditioninfection, skin diseases, cold and cough,chronic ulcer, etc13. Ayurveda alsomentioned about the toxicity of zinccontaining metals and minerals if it is used

in impure form or in high dose. The toxicsymptoms are gulma (gastric upset),prameha (urinary problems), skin rashes,etc14. The properties and therapeutic usesof zinc-containing metals are given in Table 1

Zinc in Ayurvedicpreparations

In Ayurveda, natural products areeasily processed in natural form and usedfresh for various ailments. Panchavidha kasaya kalpana (fivepharmaceutical processing) are the basicmethods of preparation of plant productsfor internal administration which areSvarasa (Juice), Kalka (Paste), Sruta(decoction), Sheeta (cold infusion ) andPhanta (hot infusion). Churna (Powder)and Asava & Arista (Alcoholicpreparations) are the latter development ofKalka and Sruta processing, respectively.Vati Kalpana (Tablet) was successive

Table 1 : Summary of properties and therapeutic uses of zinc containing metals13,14

Name of Mode of use Medicinal properties Therapeutic usesthe drug & dose

Pittala Oral Bitter taste, hot potency Skin diseases, bleeding disorders,(Brass) administration; parasite infection, severe anemia, Liver

30-60mg and spleen diseases.

Puspanjana External use Astringent taste, cold potency, It promotes eyesight and cures(Zn O) after purification unctuous conjunctivitis and trachoma. Chronic

ulcer, eczema, burning sensation in severe hiccough, irregular fever andtoxic condition.

Rasaka Internal use; Astringent taste, cold potency, Eye diseases, diabetes, skin diseases,(ZnCO

3) 30-120mg unctuous, decreases kapha urinary stone, useful in sosa (PTB) and

and pitta. pyrexia of unknown etiology.

Yasada Oral and Astringent taste, cold potency, Eye diseases, diabetes, cold and cough,(Zinc) external use; decreases kapha and pitta bronchial asthma, wound healing.

30-60mg

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deployment of pharma processing may bedue to unpalatable taste of the abovepreparations and storage problems. Themineral remedies bring a revolution inthe pharmaceutical processing in that timebecause these drugs are effective in smalldose, palatable in taste and quick in actioncompared to plant products. Zinccontaining minerals are purified by theprescribed methods and roasted tocalcinized powder form (bhasma).These are used as single drug or combined

with other minerals like trivangabhasma or mixed with other herbs andminerals in tablet form. A total eighty-four zinc-containing preparation arefound in our classical preparations15, 16.Rasaka or Kharpara (zinc ore or zinccarbonate) is found in most (20 i.e.66.66%) of the formulations, Yasada(zinc metal) in 5(16.66%), Pittala(brass) in 4 (13.33%) and Puspanjana(zinc oxide) is used in one formulationamong the zinc-containing preparations

Table 2 : List of zinc containing Ayurvedic preparations and their therapeutic uses15, 16

S.No. Name of the Zinc Prime Other indications

preparation containing indications

minerals

1. Akadasayasa rasa Pittala Vridhi (Growth ) Hydrocele, vericocele

2. B.Chintamoni rasa Kharpara Jvara (fever) Spleen and liver growth, fever,

bronchitis, TB

3. Baidyanath rasa do Edema Irregular fever, anorexia, fever

4. Bhasma do Apasmara (Fits) All types of fits, psychosis sannipata

javara (complicated fever)

5. Churnanhana Puspanjana Eye Cataract, pterigism

6. Kasturi bhairava rasa Kharpara Jvara (fever) Oligospermia, cough, cold, diabetes,

psychosis, TB

7. Kshyakeshri rasa do Rajayakma Fever, TB anemia, emaciation,

memory loss

8. Laximivilasa rasa do Pradara Cough, bronchitis anemia, jaundice,

(White discharge) edema

9. Maha jvarankusa rasa Kharpara Pradara Visama jvara (irregular fever)

(white discharge)

10. Meha hara rasa Yasada Prameha Diabetes, chyluria

11. Mrutasanijivani rasa do Jvara Fever, anemia, edema

12.. Navagraha rasa Kharpara Vatayadhi Piles, cyst, fistula, G.I. problems,

Neuro problems body ache

13. Pitalla rasayana Pittala Rasayana Vigour and vitality

(Table 2). Calamine and Zincovite ore arethe natural resources for Rasaka orKharpara. Puspanjana is used for eyedisorders and some internal problems.Nearly 40% zinccontaining preparationsare indicated for various types of fever.Pittala containing preparations aremainly used in tumour and vasculardiseases. The well-designed clinical studyhas confirmed the safety of Yasadabhasma for long-term use in variousbiochemical parameters17.

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S.No. Name of the Zinc Prime Other indications

preparation containing indications

minerals

14. Pradarantaka lauha Kharpara do White discharge

15. Pratapa tapana rasa do Jvara (Fever) Intermittent fever

16. Ratnaparava vati do do White discharge, severe

musculo-skeletal pain

17. Sadanana rasa Pittala Anorexia Dysentery, G.I. disease

18. Sannipatantaka rasa Kharpara Jvara Complicated fever

19. Sarva rogahara rasa do Vatavyadhi Edema, rheumatoid arthritis,

Neuro problems anemia, pain

20. Silajawadi vati Yasada Prameha Diabetes, dysuria

21. Somanath rasa Kharpara Prameha Diabetes, insipidus

22. Sutika hara rasa do Sutika (Puerperial) Anemia, edema, all types of post partum

problems, dysentery

23. SuVasnta malatee rasa Kharpara Prameha Irregular fever, piles

24. Swarna sindura rasa Pittala Sex problem Impotency, anorexia,

memory problem

25. Trishnadi gutika Kharpara Raktapitta Fever, debility, cough bronchitis,

(Bleeding) emaciation, T.B

26. Trivanga bhasma Yasada do Infertility, diabetes

27. Tyhikari rasa Kharpara do Irregular fever, splenopatomegaly,

anorexia

28. Vangastaka rasa do Kasa (Cough) Diabetes, urological problem

29. Visweswara rasa do Jvara All types fever, night fever, irregular fever

30. Yasadamruta ointment Yasada Vrana (Wounds) All types of skin diseases, fistula

Article

Conclusion

Zinc has been introduced as adrug in the prevention and treatment ofmany diseases since past two decades. Itaggressively promoted and many doctorsprescribe zinc containing multivitaminsor antioxidants for various purposes.Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals have alsostarted marketing polyherbal compoundswith zinc as health promoting, disease

preventing and supportive therapy in manydiseases. Ayurveda explained the beneficialeffect of zinc in eye diseases but we cannotfind any supporting modern literature inconnection with zinc and eye diseases.Ayurvedic doctors frequently administerzinc containing preparations in feverwhich suggests its role in immunesystem. It is also used in diarrhoea,dermatitis and psychological disturbances.Zinc is essential for normal embryonic

development, deficiency results inmalformation of brain, eyes, bones,heart and other organs. But Ayurveda issilent about the use of zinc inantenatal care. Zinc has been used as asex stimulant to increase the spermcount and it is added in manyherbo-mineral compounds probably toactivate the phytohormone becausesteroid and other hormones are zincdependent18.

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7. Park’s Text Book of Preventive and SocialMedicine, M/S Banarasidas Bhanot, Jabalpur,1997, pp. 405.

8. Rao Nagesh Kumar, Text book of ForensicMedicine and Toxicology, Japee Brothers, NewDelhi, 1st edn, 2000, pp. 440.

9. Goodman and Gilman’s, The Pharmacologicalbasis of therapeutic, 9th edn, 1996, pp.1549.

10. Vaidya Bagwan Dash, Alchemy and metallicmedicine in Ayurveda, Concept Publishing,Company, New Delhi, 1986.

11. Panda AK and Mohanty N, Zinc is an Ayu-allodrug, Sachitra Ayurv, 1995, 34-36.

12. Mahadihassan S, Indian Alchemy, MotilalBanarasidass Publication, 2nd Rev. edn, 1991,pp. 23-24.

13. Bhagbhat, Rasa Ratna Sammuchaya, 13th

Chapter, Verse no. 44-56, KrishnadasAcademy, 1st edn, 1967.

14. Bhatt Gopal Krusnna, Rasendra SaraSangraha, 5th Chapter, Verse no. 14-16,Krishnadas Academy, 1st edn, 1981.

15. Sen Gobindas, Bhaisajya Ratnavali,edited by Ambicadutta Sastri, ChaukhambaSanskrit Samsthan, Varanasi, 12th edn,1996.

16. Sharma Hariprapanna Pandit,Rasayogasagara, Vol. 1& 2, KrishnadasAcademy, 1st edn, 1983.

17. Mukharjee B and Shaw BP, Effect of Yasadabhasma on different diseases of G.I.T. withspecial reference to Gastric ulcer, M.D. Thesis,Calcutta University, 1993.

18. Mohanty N, The safety and efficacy of treevangabhasma in sperm pathology, M.D. Thesis,Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 1984.

Article

Zinc containing metals andminerals are widely used in Ayurvedaranging from G.I. problems toneurological problems. Recentbiochemical analysis suggested thatbioavailability of zinc from Ayurvedicformulations is better absorbed ascompared to the modern formulations18.The beneficial effect of zinc in eyedisorders should be re-investigated.However, modern understanding of zincpharmacology is well comparable withthat of Ayurveda.

References

1. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, SutraSthna, 1st Chapter, verse no.68, commentaryby Kashinath Sastry, Chaukhamba SanskriteAcademy, Varanasi, 1st edn, 1991.

2. Rao Ramachandra SK, Encyclopaedia ofIndian Medicine, Popular Prakasana,Mumbai, 1st edn, reprint,1998, Vol.1,pp.17-18.

3. Sarangadhara, Sarangadhara Samhita,Purbardha, 3rd Chapter, verse no. 34-46,Chaukhamba Sanskrite Academy, Varanasi, 1st

edn, 1998.

4. Ray PC, History of Hindu Chemestry,Barati Prakasana, Kolkata, 1902, Vol.1,pp.10-13.

5. Guyton and Hall, Text book of MedicalPhysiology, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1st Indianedition, 2001, pp. 813.

6. Harrison’s Principle of Internal Medicine,International edition, 14th edn, 1998,pp. 420-421.