Physico-Chemical Evaluation of Pavalasilasathu Parpam, a Marine based Traditional Siddha Drug used in Leucoderma and Infectious Conditions

Mekala; Sathish; Arul Amuthan

Abstract

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2015,4,3,44-47.

DOI:10.5530/ijpcs.4.3.2

Published:Sept 2015

Type:Original Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Mekala¹, Sathish², Arul Amuthan^3*

¹Department of Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, INDIA.

²Department of Sattam Saarntha Maruthuvamum Nanju Noolum, Sri Sairam Siddha Medical College, Chennai, INDIA.

³Department of Pharmacology, Melaka Manipal Medical College and Center for Integrative Medicine and Research, Manipal University, INDIA.

Abstract:

Background: Pavalasilasathu parpam (PSP) is one of the marine derived drugs used in Siddha Medicine for the treatment of leucoderma and respiratory infections. So far, no studies have been done on this drug. Objective: To prepare pavalasilasathu parpam as per the traditional Siddha literature and to evaluate its chemical changes during drug preparation processes. Materials and Methods: First, Suddhi (purification) process of pavalam (coral) and silasathu (selenite) were done by individually processed with Aloe vera juice and tender coconut water respectively. The chemical change in coral and selenite before and after the purification process was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Then, coral and selenite were ground well together with Cissus quadrangularis juice for 12 hours and subjected to calcination process. The obtained whitish ash was called as PSP. The physico-chemical property of PSP was analyzed using ash values, FTIR, ICP-OES and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Amount of heavy metal was quantified. Results: The procedure Suddhi reduced the amount of sodium, iron, calcium, phosphorous, sulfur and magnesium in coral and selenite. Particle size ranges between 30-80 μm. Heavy metals like mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium were below detectable level. Amount of calcium, phosphorous and sulphur were 225 mg, 10 mg and 22 mg in 1 g of PSP. FTIR showed the peaks for the presence of six organic compounds. Conclusion: Pavalasilasathu parpam does not have heavy metals, but contains calcium, phosphorous and Sulphur with few organic phytochemicals derived from Cissus quadrangularis, which was used during the preparation process.