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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 inbhasma (calcifiedpowder) from prior to the 3rd century A.D2. The Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna

is the father of metallic medicine in India.Subsequently a special branch of medicine, i.e. Rasa-Sastra (Alchemy) wasdeveloped which deals with herbo-mineralproducts. The books on Rasa-Sastra like— Kakshyaputa tantra , Rasa RatnaSammuchaya , Rasa ta rang in i,

Rasayoga sagar, Rasendra sara

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

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

an essential nutrient in humans. It plays a vital role in all physiological processes. It is 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 lady to provide extra zinc for the growingfoetus5. Absorption of zinc in the smallintestine is decreased by fibres, Phytic

acid, calcium and copper and increasby remainder glucose, amino acpeptide and other chelating agents. Ne90% of Zn is inside the cells and remainder in plasma and extra cellufluid. Plasma Zn is the source of mfor cellular needs. In brain the high

amounts of Zinc are in hippocampus cerebral cortex. Plasma Zn leveldecreased in pregnancy and with the of oral contraceptives, in catabolic stasuch as trauma, burns or a surgery andhaemolytic and sickle cell anemia. PlaZn is also decreased with acute myocarinfarction infection, malignancy, hepaand many other diseases. The systeinvolved and influenced by Zinc incthe reproductive, neurological, immudermatological and gastro-intestisystems. Zinc deficient cells fail to dand differentiate with consequence groimpairment, tissue with high rateturnover in skin and gastro-intestimucosa. It also helps in wound healand development of cell-mediatimmunity 6. Zinc is widely distributed vegetarian and non-vegetarian foodstThe bioavailability of zinc in vegetablow. Animal foods such as meat, mfish, etc. are dependable sources of zin7.Zinc toxicity occurs by inhalation of fumes (by welder), oral ingestion medicine and zinc contaminated food water or intravenous administration. toxic symptoms are gastric ulcpancreatitis, lethargy, anemia, naus

Zinc in Ayurvedic herbo-mineral products Ashok Kumar Panda 1* and Suvendu Rout 2

1

Regional Research Institute (Ayurveda), Tadong, Gangtok -737102, Sikkim, India 2Sri Jayendra Saraswati Ayurveda College, Chennai-602 103, Tamil Nadu, India * Correspondent author, E-mail: akpanda_06@yahoo.co.in Received 1 June 2005; Accepted 17 March 2006

Abstract

Zinc is a trace element and plays a vital role in all physiological processes in humans. It has 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 aftersodhana(purification) andmarana (calcification) before 14th century A.D. Rasaka or Kharpara(zinc ore or zinc carbonate),Yasada (zinc metal),Puspanjana (zinc oxide) andPittala(brass) are zinc-containing minerals used as therapeutic agents in Ayurveda. Rasaka or

Kharpara 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

Article Natural Product Radiance, Vol. 5(4), 2006, pp.284-288

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vomiting, respiratory dist ress 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) andPittala (brass) are zinccontaining minerals used as therapeuticagents in Ayurveda 10. The termYasadaand the therapeutic uses of zinc are not

found in the major classical texts likeCharaka Samhita, Susruta Samhitaand Astanga Hridaya 11. But the zinc-

containing alloyPittala is found in theabove said classical texts of Ayurveda.Sarangadhara was the first author todescribe about the medicinal uses of Yasada in 14th century. The Ayurvedicphysicians have practiced both oral andtopical applications of zinc afterSodhana (purification) andmarana(calcification). All zinc containing metalsare cold in potency( sheeta virya ),astringent in taste and indicated in

Kapha, pitta disorders except pittala which 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 tosymptoms aregulma (gastric upset),

prameha (urinary problems), skin rasheetc14. The properties and therapeutic usof zinc-containing metals are given in Tab

Zinc in Ayurvedic preparations

In Ayurveda, natural products easily processed in natural form and ufresh for various ailments.Panchavidha kasaya kalpana (fivepharmaceutical processing) are the bamethods of preparation of plant produfor internal administration which Svaras a (Juice), Kalka (Paste),Sruta(decoction),Sheeta (cold infusion ) andPhanta (hot infusion).Churna (Powder)and Asava & Arista (Alcoholicpreparations) are the latter developmenKalka andSruta processing, respectiveVati Kalpana (Tablet) was successiv

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

Name of Mode of use Medicinal properties Therapeutic uses the 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,(ZnCO3) 30-120mg unctuous, decreaseskapha 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; decreaseskapha 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. The

mineral 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

wi th other minera ls liketrivangabhasma 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 orethe natural resources for Rasaka orKharpara . Puspanjana is used for ey

disorders and some internal problemNearly 40% zinccontaining preparatiare indicated for various types of fePittala containing preparations armainly used in tumour and vascudiseases. The well-designed clinical shas confirmed the safety ofYasadabhasma for long-term use in variobiochemical 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, severemusculo-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 partumproblems, 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

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Conclusion

Zinc has been introduced as a

drug in the prevention and treatment of many diseases since past two decades. It aggressively promoted and many doctorsprescribe zinc containing multivitaminsor antioxidants for various purposes. Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals have alsostarted marketing polyherbal compounds with zinc as health promoting, disease

preventing and supportive therapy in many diseases. Ayurveda explained the beneficialeffect of zinc in eye diseases but we cannot

find any supporting modern literature inconnection with zinc and eye diseases. Ayurvedic doctors frequently administerzinc containing preparations in fever which suggests it s ro le in immunesystem. It is also used in diarrhoea,dermatitis and psychological disturbances.Zinc is essential for normal embryonic

development, deficiency resultsmalformation of brain, eyes, bonheart and other organs. But Ayurved

silent about the use of zinc antenatal care. Zinc has been used asex stimulant to increase the specount and it is added in manherbo-mineral compounds probablyactivate the phytohormone becausteroid and other hormones are zidependent 18.

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