Bhasmas as Natural Nanorobots: The Biorelevant Metal Complex

REVIEW ARTICLE BHASMAS AS NATURAL NANOROBOTS: THE BIORELEVANT METAL COMPLEX C. B. Jha1, B.Bhattacharya2, K. K. Narang3 1 Professor Emeritus, Dept of Rasa-Shastra, Faculty of Ayurveda-IMS, Banaras Hindu University, 2Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York; PhD Scholar, Rasa Shastra, Faculty of Ayurveda, BHU, 3Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry, IIT-BHU, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India ABSTRACT Nanorobots are tiny devices programmed by man for a particular function. Similarly, bhasmas are programmed by man to work with particular precision. Through the processes of mardana and bhavana, herbs with affinities to specific parts of the body with specific known actions are added to a metal as its therapeutic properties are released. Since ancient times, bhasmas of minerals and metals have played an important role in alleviating severe diseases as per specific needs of the body. As raw materials, metals have no particular therapeutic property. In fact, they are toxic. But after shodhana, jarana and marana, the large mass of rock can be converted to macroparticles, microparticles and nanoparticles as seen using SEM. The use of mercury facilitates the marana process, separating molecules of metals to allow organic compounds to penetrate between layers and create the microparticles that can absorb into the cellular level. These fine particles appear to be easily incorporated into the body and bioavailable (rasibhavana). But bhasmas are not only natural nanorobots due to size. They are brilliant technology developed by man as they also introduce herbal compounds functioning as carriers and compasses to guide the metal to a particular location. Compounding of individual metal bhasmas into rasa-aushadhi shuttles all components of that formulation to the prescribed location. Arogyavardinivati is one example of an effective rasa-aushadhi with several components focusing toward the liver, oriented by the affinity of neem and kutki, shown clinically to provide hepatoprotection and relieve skin issues. Keywords: bhasma research methodology, nanorobots, anupana, arogyavardhinivati, Bhasmapariksha, bioavailability, rasa-aushadhi. INTRODUCTION yasyarogasyayoyogaha-tenaivasahayojayet| rasendroharativyadhīnnara-kunjaravājinām || - Rasārnava, patala 11/218 Address for correspondence: Dr. C.B. Jha, Professor Emeritus, Dept of Rasa-Shastra, BHU, Varanasi, India. E-mail: cbjha123@gmail.com Revised: 15-August-2015ccess this article online Accepted: 19-Aug-2015 Access this article online Quick response code Website:www.jtnm.in Translation: Into whichever drug is indicated for a particular disease, the addition of some mercurial preparations (such as rasa sindura, makaradhwaja, kajjali) into the combination (yoga) that is prepared will potentiate the action and directive force of that specific formulation (yoga) when administered specifically to the requirements of each patient. Mercury preparations (rasendro) will defeat (harati) diseases (vyadhi) of all, the man (nara), elephant (kunjara), or horse (horse) || Commentary: Without the plant component of a formulation (yoga), pārada will act on the body as a whole without a fixed target. But when a specific plant component is added to pārada, the plant material gives specific directions to the preparation toward a particular target, and the mercurial preparations potentiates that known action of the plant-based product. This combination synergizes the action of that particular plant, making it work better than it could alone. Preparations with shudhha pārada work well both on diseases of man and veterinary diseases. Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 2 C.B.Jhaet al.: Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: The bio relevant metal complex The sloka refers specifically to mercurial compounds, but we can broaden it to consideration of all bhasmas and rasa preparations known as rasa-aushadhi. In many formulations either a direct or indirect role of mercury can be observed. Bhasmas have a wide range of efficacy on the whole body as well as on targeted systems of the body. In addition, when they are combined with single or multiple plant materials, their action becomes more target-oriented, and the concept of amayikaprayoga (disease-oriented use) is borne. Therefore mercurial compounds and bhasmas of minerals and metals can be used in similar ways. A nanorobot is a tiny electronic device under man’s control designed to perform an assigned task repeatedly and with precision at a particular place and time, which then makes an exit from the scene or destroys itself. Nanorobots have gained popularity recently, as various materials and robotic machines have been examined for their advanced applications. Nanoparticles made of various materials are now widely used in many disciplines, including computer design, medicine, engineering, and art. A multitude of reviews are available cataloguing nanoscience and technology1. One intriguing aspect of nanoscience applies the technology to the human body for specific drug delivery or penetration of nanodoses to specific tissues. The ancient and often forgotten art of yurvedic bhasmas, when closely examined, shows that the clinical behavior of bhasmas when meticulously prepared and properly prescribed, nearly approaches the behavior of nano-medicinal particles and nano-drug-delivery systems2. The missing link of knowledge may emerge from an interface between clinical experience, understanding of dosa-dhatu-guna principles on prescribing, and the scientific understanding of the subtle parameters of how and why bhasmas are prepared as they are. ANCIENT QUALITY CONTROL The first step in producing nanorobots is the production of nanoparticles. While modern gadgetry was not available during ancient times, brilliant vaidyas carefully designed, manually experimented, and reliably implemented with preparations of bhasma using metals and minerals. Starting with bulk materials of rocks and stones, they used specific processes of shodhana, jarana and marana to potentiate the therapeutic qualities in the metals and minerals contained in their samples, separating out the unnecessary to create non-toxic amalgams by weaving in organic materials and natural fluids. With each successive cycle of grinding then puta (specific system of heating), a heterogenous mix was achieved of finer and finer particles in a therapeutically ideal compound. Each round of marana would quench and break the structure of larger particles to finer and finer bhasmas. To verify their work, physical tests perceptible at the human visual level, known as Bhasmapariksha, were used (Table 1). Many of the tests were designed to evaluate the successful preparation of bhasmas with particle sizes in the biological nano range of 25nm to 400nm. These tests of fineness and minuteness during that time period confirmed that huge masses unabsorbable by the human body in the centimetre range (10-2 m) were successfully reduced to micrometer (µm, 10-6 m) or nanometer (nm, 10-9 m) range. The proposition that particles were in the nano-range was verified by its bioavailability after intake into the human body, which only absorbs extremely small particles, either by diffusion, uptake, or by digestion then assimilation of particles less than 1 µm in size3. BHASMAS CONTAIN NANOPARTICLE Several recent investigations focusing on particle size of bhasmas reveal a heterogeneous mixture containing a significant percentage of nanoparticles among particles ranging in micron size. Bhatia et al. (2013)have reported the particle size of their abhrakabhasma, made from a type of mica, between 29-88 nm using advanced analytical techniques of EDS, Energy dispersive X- ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer, Field Emission Gun-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)4. JR. Bellare’s group, working on the physicochemical investigations of bhasma, used XRD to show that JasadaBhasma, with a mean crystal size of 52.7nm, has the identical crystal structure as the standard hexagonal ZnO, with a mean crystal size of 47.9 nm, but JasadaBhasma particles have approximately 10% higher crystal size compared to standard hexagonal ZnO5. Santhosh B. and colleagues (2013) studied the stepwise production of yashadabhasma using kajjali (HgS), bhavana using kumara swarasa and nimbuswarasa, and gajaputa to a temperature of 700-1000oC. 3 Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 C.B.Jhaet al.: Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: The bio relevant metal complex Table 1. The physical and chemical tests of bhasma preparation assessed by organoleptics Bhasmapariks Translation Physicochemical reasoning ha varitara float atop a tall layer of still Due to density differential and the surface tension of the water water, the heavy metal which has becomes so light and separated, shows its density less than water. rekhapurna bhasmasettles into the A test of fineness, minute particle size indicates a ridges of the fingerprint and logarithmic increase in surface area that is useful for is not easily removed penetration into the body. The ridges of the fingerprint range between 200-300 µm. nischandra when exposed to sunlight, is When a metallic compound has lost the inherent luster devoid of luster and shining characteristic of a pure metal, it signals a conversion to particles another form, just as hemoglobin does not have the luster of pure iron, though it definitely houses an iron molecule. apunarbhava under no condition will it The non-reversible nature of this compound to turn back to return to original form on pure metal under extreme fire indicates a level of energy heating, in the presence of invested such that activation energy required for reversal is mitrapanchaka extremely high. These energies to disrupt the bhasma structure are achieved during AAS, which releases metal from its herbo-organic complex to quantify presence of total metal. niruttha no gain in weight of silver The presence of free metal in a bhasma can be detected by using thin silver leaf due to its high affinity to adhere to any metal. In a crucible, bhasma is spread atop aa silver leaf of specific weight, then heated to red hot and self-cooled. The bhasma is removed from the silver sheet. When re-weighed, if the weight of silver has increased, it indicates loose metal was available in the bhasma which has adhered to the silver. Source: RasaRatnaSamucchaya of V gbhata, circa 1300 CE. chapter 8.26-30 After the first puta, the highest peaks using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were zinc sulfide (ZnS). After the second round of puta, the major peaks on XRD were zinc oxide (ZnO), confirming the transformation of zinc particles using plant material and heat. Using Scanning Emission Microscopy (SEM), the bhasma particle size they observed after two putas was 5-20 nm. Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICPAES), their sample contained mostly Zn (95.08 ppm), Sn (0.27 ppm), Pb (0.14 ppm), Fe (1.69 ppm), Ca (1.82 ppm), Mg (1.00 ppm), Cu, Co and Mn<0.5 ppm6.They supplemented organoleptic yurvedic methodology for testing bhasmas with quantitative and costly equipments, concluding that a combination of both classical and modern analysis will justify the proper classical preparation of bhasmas. It appears that most properly-prepared bhasmas are therapeutically active metal oxide or metal sulfide particle complexes. When kajjali (HgS) is used as an ingredient, the initial putas may contain some mercury as well; subsequent putas will capture the sulfide and release the mercury, as found in rasa sindura (HgS), tāmrabhasma (CuS)7and lauhabhasma (FeS). Most oxides and sulphides are generally insoluble in water but soluble in strong acid. However, when metal oxides and sulphides are made associated with chemicals from fresh herbs and bound into functional chelation compounds, their properties change. Additionally, when these metal salts are repeatedly heated with heterogenous organic compounds, they stabilize into fine herbo-metallic nanoparticles as seen in bhasmas. These then have the potential to penetrate a living system with high bioavailability. Plants and animals do this in nature when chelating copper or iron into enzymes and carrier metallo-proteins and metalloproteases. Examples include the iron in hemoglobin and all heme proteins, copper in ceruloplasmin and plant copper protein plastocyanin, as well as the zinc-containing enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in man8. Metals also exhibit very different properties as nanosized particles since they approach the size of single molecules, than they do as metal complexes 4 Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 C.B.Jhaet al.: Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: The bio relevant metal complex in sizes exceeding 500nm. The space between atoms in a molecule ranges between 0.12–0.15 nm, and 1.2 -1.4 Å. The atomic radius of a gold atom is 0.146nm. Therefore, assumptions made by modern physics and chemistry regarding interaction with biological systems, cell membranes and molecules need to be adjusted to the properties of permeability of the smallest molecules. For example, metals intercalating with a biologically live molecule of DNA, weave easily into the size range of its double-helix diameter of 34Å = 3.4 x 10-9 = 3.4nm. BIOAVAILABILITY OF METAL COMPLEXES Because of the variety of organic chemicals and enzymes present in healthy stomach fluid with its acidic pH of 1.5–3.5, these metal salts alter their behavior to become insoluble. But due to their minute particle size, their liposolubility allows them to penetrate the intestinal barrier either by endocytosis, phagocytosis, or persorption and transit to the bloodstream. Particles reduced to the size of platelets, which have the diameter of approx. 1.5 µm, can be absorbed through the gap junctions and epithelial tissue in various locations of the middle gut. The anatomy of absorption in the human gut remains yet to be fully elucidated. mritānilohānirasībhavantinighnantiyuktānimahāa myānshcha | abhyāsa-yogāddrdha-deha-siddhim, kurvanti rugjanma-jarā-vināsham || - Rasa RatnaSamucchaya, 5.139 Translation: All types of iron, and also metals, when fully incinerated and detoxified properly, are converted into microfine particles that easily absorb into the body as fluid, travelling through plasma of the bloodstream as colloidal material suspended as rasa-dhatu within the rasa-tarpana. Metal particles destroy the creation (samprapti) and onset of the major dreadful diseases when used with proper application to correct patients, and for sufficient duration. They make the body very compact and powerful, full of vitality and immune power; they prevent manifestations of diseases and old age. Rasa has several meanings, all profoundly related to each other in rasa-shastra. Microfine particles that easily absorb into the body either due to size or hydrolipid solubility as micelles or lipoprotein complexes travel within the body’s plasma fluid (adyaaaharaparinamdhatu) as colloidal material suspended as rasa-dhatu. Rasa-dhatu is the initial dhatu, carrying the nutrients from food. It is the tissue that provides the primary role of preenana, nourishing of all subsequent six dhatus. Within all tissues, there is a tarpana, or need to be satisfied of thirst. Rasa-dhatu has selective abilities to detect and satiate this tripti (~thirst) or desire, quenching the need of those tissues. Due to the processes of catabolism, dhatus continuously use up nutrients, converting unused portions into wastes and requiring more new substrate nutrients. They break down if not supplied with new substrate. This is the basis of them becoming deficient. Dhatus thirst for more nutrients. Rasadhatu fulfill their needs, replenishing and satiating in their role of dhatu-tarpana, to maintain balance and strength in the body. STRUCTURING QUESTIONS FOR BHASMA INVESTIGATION Many questions remain for systematic investigation of bhasmas and the construction of accurate SOPs (standard operating procedures) for preparation and testing. Q: How do rasa-aushadh becomes nanoparticles? 1. We have yet to explain how a macroparticle is converted to nanoparticles using the processes of sodhana-marana-putapaka. We know sodhana is a replicable technology for addition and separation through which intercalation of organic particles causes a reduction in size of metal particles while also compounding into them. How does shodhana work on a molecular level? 2. If micelles or functional chelated compounds are being developed using the heating-quenching of metals into acidic or basic organic media, how can we measure them? 3. Is mardana actually the smashing of large micron particles of metals either with acids or bases, or with natural chelating complexes used by plants in vivo for safely capturing metals and minerals into their living systems? UNDERSTANDING RASA-DHATU 5 Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 C.B.Jhaet al.: Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: The bio relevant metal complex Q: Why is mercury (parada) required for the production of best bhasmas? 1. What is the role of mercury as a liquid metal in intercalating between solid metal particles? 2. Does mercury expand into spaces in metallic crystals and increase the surface area of the solid metal particle, exposing it for chemical reactions and promoting its separation into smaller particles once enough energy is applied to separate the metal crystals? 3. Is it possible that this separation is sustained through mechanical grinding during bhavana, which exposes greater surface area of a particle and lines the surface with vegetable extract liquid? Then, heating the metal promotes the action of the plant’s components on the surface of the metal or mineral. During sustained temperatures above 356oC, mercury escapes, so the ultimate compound is free from mercury. Mercury in the role of catalyst is easy, quick, and invaluable as it is a liquid with properties of sharing electrons as metals do. Q: How do rasa-aushadh is penetrate into the body? 1. Are there differential gradients formed by the heterogeneity of rasa-aushadhi particles in bhasma that form micron particles, macroparticles, as well as nanoparticles? 2. Does this differential gradient influence osmolarity in the gut so that some of the particles are absorbed through different mechanisms and sent through different channels into the body? 3. Do metals get absorbed through the epithelial brush border of the villi, or through other parts of the intestine? 4. Are herbo-metallic bhasmas like organic chelate complexes or micelles in a protective shell that protects the metal ion from interacting with the larger environment? 5. Where is the biological model through which we can understand how gut absorption of metals occurs? Q: How does rasa-aushadh is penetrate at nano doses into specific tissues? 1. How does bioavailability occur for metal particles? When they reach the bloodstream after passing the intestinal barrier, do they present as nanoparticles floating in the bloodstream? Are they in ionic form as in solution, or in metal complex form as in heme proteins or similar carrier metalloproteins of the body? 2. What is the role of an anupana as a vehicle for administering a drug through the mouth to deliver it into the body? Q: How does the rasa-aushadhi act as per ayurvedic wisdom? 1. Rasa-aushadhis are prepared combining metallic bhasma components with herbal components with specific actions for the disease to be treated and the person to be treated, using dosha-dhatusiddhanta. How do we explain the concepts of rasa, guna, virya, vipaka, and prabhava of each dravya clearly to understand how each component of a formulation acts in the human body? 2. Dravya acts through dravya (kinchitrasenakurute). Each substance has its own particular action, quality, consistency and constituents. How do these influence specific metallic components? 3. How does a whole plant used as churna differ from use of its extract where its rasa is extracted using water or oil, leaving the cellular bulk aside? 4. How does rasa-indriya (perception of taste) influence digestion? Metallic bhasmas are tasteless, but when combined into rasa-aushadhi formulations, they have taste (rasa). 5. How does rasa-indriya influence the yogavahi? For example, the triptikar quality in madhura-rasa as its pradhan constituent is preenana, the chief purpose of which is to be attracted to that which requires nourishing. Q: How does a rasa-aushadhi create potency and specific action? 1. How do we explain the concept of yogavahi of herbs that carry compounds to specific locations in the body? 2. Where do we find a clear explanation of rasibhavana?Ahara becomes sara and kitta, from which the sara moves into the rasa-dhatu to the hrdaya and circulates 6 Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 C.B.Jhaet al.: Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: The bio relevant metal complex into the body. What is the pathway and mechanism by which this occurs? 3. When a metal penetrates into the bloodstream, perhaps tagged by an adjuvant or dravya with yogavahi properties, how does the body specifically deliver the metal to a needed place? What is the srotasiddhanta or foundational principles for movement through the channels? How do phytochemicals know where to go? Q: The experimental aspect of the science of rasaaushadhis was likely developed through laboratory experimentation and keen observation. The theoretical aspect is attributed to the various rasa classical texts. But how was it conceived without the tools of modern chemistry? What were the theoretical building blocks of the science of the ancient chemists? RASA AUSHADHI: FORMULATIONS OF HERBS WITH MINERALS While a bhasma is a particular metal or mineral complex made specifically into a stable herbometallic micelle, these 10-20 nm micelles9 can then be systematically included in specific Ayurvedic polyherbal, polymineral combinations for various diseases to create a formulation specific to a patient’s micro and macroenvironment, especially considering their jatharagni, dosha, desha, and kala. The ingredients form a mix designed to provide two integral properties of Ayurvedic pharmaceutical innovation: anupana and yogavahi. Anupana (defined Caraka Samhita: Sūtra-sth na 27/325) refers to materials with the ability to carry a particular dravya through a particular medium (anupaschatpiyateitianupanam) that act as yogavahi. It has the properties of drawing ingested food inward, splitting hard masses, moistening, aiding in transformation and spreading the essence of food through the body to bestow contentment. Water is the universal and best anupana; additional anupana include ghrit, tel, āsava/madya/sura (~self-fermented herbal liquids), milk, honey and takra (~buttermilk). Yogavahi refers to the action and ability to act as a courier to a specific site, such as an organ, an infection site, or a growing cancer. Yogavahi is a substance that enhances the attributes of the substances to which it is added, without losing its own properties (eg, pārada, ghrta, madhu). It may be that it responds to biochemical tracker markers, as immune cells do, such as cytokines, prostaglandins, or other hormonal signal molecules, using concentration gradients or drugligand chemical affinities. COMPOSITION OF A RASA AUSHADHI: AROGYAVARDHINI VATI The analysis of Arogyavardhinivati (AV) provides an example of a typical, widely-used, broadspectrum formulation whose evidence for efficacy is its clinical success over a thousand years. Patients using AV show evidence of normalized LFTs, visible changes of incurable skin conditions such as vitiligo, and restoration of liver function after liver toxins or hepatitis. If it did not work, patients would have stopped using it. Arogyavardhini vati as described in Rasa texts. Contents: Shu.Parada (mercury), Shu. Gandhaka(Sulfur),Lohabhasma,Abhrakabhasma,Tamrabhas ma each 1 part, Triphala-6 part, Shu.Shilajeet-3 part, Shu.Guggulu and Chitraka-4 part, Kutaki-22 part. Bhavana with sufficient Nimbapatraswarasa is given and finally prepare pill of 3 ratti (375 mg). Indication: Useful in indigestion, Shrotoshodhak, Medanashak, Vibandhahara (constipation), liver and spleen disorder, internal inflammation of any organ, anemia, skin diseases, ascites. To make this formulation, originally described in the RRS chapter 20, sloka 87, kajjali is first prepared. One part each of potentiated mercury (shuddhapārada) and potentiated Sulfur (shuddhagandhaka) are combined in a khalvayantra (~ oblong mortar and pestle), and grinded together until the bright yellow and the shining particles have completed disappeared and turned to black, with a fine, smooth texture, free of any luster. Ancient recommendations are to grind for three continuous days, only after proper initiation of the procedure at the proper time and place. After kajjali is properly prepared, the other ingredients are added into the khalvayantra. This includes 1 part each of Lohabhasma, Abhrakabhasma, and Tamrabhasma, then to this is added 6 parts triphalachurna (2 amalaki : 2 bibhitaki : 2 haritaki) as fine powder. To this is added 3 parts of potentiated shilajeet (shuddhashilajatu). To this is added 4 parts of purified guggulu (shuddhaguggulu) and 4 parts of the mula (~root or tuber) of chitraka (chitrakmula) churna. To the total of all these parts add an equal amount of kutki, 22 parts. Once a uniform mix has been achieved, a sufficient quantity of swarasa from Nimbapatra is 7 Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 C.B.Jhaet al.: Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: The bio relevant metal complex added, based on dryness and humidity. Bhavana, trituration with nimbaswarasa, is done for two days until it is semi-solid. The mixture is then prepared into pill of 3 ratti (375 mg) and dried in the shade (chayaśuska). It is preserved in a glass container. HOW A RASA AUSHADI FORMULATION MAY WORK While HgS is not required by the body, rasa sindura and kajjali provide extra sulfur into the chemical reaction, as polysulfide or in free radical form, as a useful element for production of Scontaining enzymes. It is also possible that a molecule of the HgS series acts as a nano particle carrier, a sort of nano Robot, for the sulfur or carbonaceous material to get to the liver and delivers the drug molecule. The Hg and excess S are then actively excreted. The HgS may also get pulled along attracted in crevices of the molecular complex of shilajatu, which is heavily abundant in humic acid and fulvic acid, and provides large surface area and attractive van der Waals forces for the Hg and S to hide. Abhrakabhasma from the biotite variety of mica is extremely useful in Ayurvedic formulations for many diseases perhaps because it delivers trace minerals to needed sites. It is a brick-red, lusterless, fine powder floating on water and its composition has been found to be (%) Fe (22) Ca (11), K (8), Si (13), Mg (4), Al (2), Ti (1), Na, Cl, P in nano amounts. The particle size of abhrakabhasma in one study ranged between 2988 nm as determined with the help of EDXRF4. It has pittahara and tridoshāmaka (rebalancing all three doshas) properties, which are needed by the liver as the seat of ranjaka pitta. Tamrabhasma is medohara, kaphahara, tridoshami. It will aid the breakdown and dissolution of unhealthy fats and lower kapha, while balancing the three doshas7. Iron oxide has a two-step mechanism for dissolution of Fe2O3 with organic acids. Initially, the organic portion of the acid deposits on the surface of Fe2O3 and then a redox reaction helps to create a complex with the surface ions. With sufficient quantity of organic acid material, the oxide portion is released and iron is chelated functionally. This is the purported mechanism when iron interacts with organic acids in stomach fluid or with organic acidic material in bhasmas which are rich in organic compounds inherent in the plants with which bhavana has taken place. Organic compound containing –OH and –COOH groups help the iron become liposoluble and thereafter they are more easy to transport through blood. The unique ferromagnetic property of iron may play a role in its carriage to specific diseased parts of the body that call for (preenana) iron specifically. Lauhabhasma is also tridoshāmaka and an excellent dhatu-poshaka (nourisher of tissues). It is used effectively in pandu (~anemia) and kamla (~jaundice). The field of bioinorganics has established that metals in nano size are used as cofactors by the liver’s abundant enzyme and biotransformation systems8. They deliver trace metals of Fe, Cu, and Zn for production of bioorganic molecules such as hemoglobin, myoglobins, and enzymes. Metals also behave differently in molecular environment than they do in large masses, just as an individual behaves differently alone than in a herd of thousands. Progress in bio relevant metal complexes is strongly dependent on our understanding not only the thermo-dynamics of reactions in body but also the kinetics of dissociation and association of the metal complex and metal exchange reaction in biologically relevant conditions. The prominent bulk of Arogyavardhinivati is kutki, which has affinity for hepatic cells and is intensely pittashamak and also used to remove excess kapha. Due to the prominence of neemswarasa, which is ushna-virya but has bitterness (tikta rasa) is therefore kaphashamaka and tends to stimulate the liver. Both kutki and the tikta of neem produce a yogavahi for the liver, creating hepatoprotective action, and act also as a kustahara (skin problem resolver). The guggulu acts as a vatashamak and has lekhaniya properties, while the chitrak-mula is vatakaphashamaka. It may be that plant enzymes in the neem leaf are magnetized toward the liver. With their preferential flow to the liver, they carry the other components of the formula to the liver. In addition to kustahara, the indications for Arogyavardhini vati include indigestion, shrotoshodhak,medanashak,vibandhahara(~const ipation), liver and spleen disorders, internal inflammation of any organ, anemia, skin diseases and ascites. Understanding physiology and the role of the liver, it is entirely plausible that helping the liver to function more effectively would create influence on the digestive system’s enzyme cascade, healthy bile production and release, the healthy fat buildup in the body, inflammation and immune function, red blood cell function, and fluid balance. Arogyavardhini vati works due to its effect on dosha and dhatu (dosha8 Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 C.B.Jhaet al.: Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: The bio relevant metal complex dushyasamucchanajanitavyadhisampraptibibhata n). In kustha for example, all the three doshas and dhatus are vitiated. To remove the vitiation, we must start with the dosha which is predominantly vitiated. Therafter, the remaining two should be alleviated (CarakaSamhitaCikitsa-sth na 7/31-32). The next series of investigations on Arogyavardhini vati need to explore and reconcile systematically those effects seen clinically for millennia with how plants create the effect of yogavahi at the molecular level. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the sophisticated logic of Ayurvedic rasa-aushadhis is vital to our understanding of the body’s mechanisms. Bhasmas are therapeutically suitable nanoparticles, natural nanorobots that carry herbal chemicals into the body system, slowly deliver metals in minute quantities by a combination of dissolution into fine liposoluble compounds, transport across intestinal barrier, transport through the medium of the bloodstream and arrival at a needed site, where the transporter can release the metal into its reactive state. Bhasmas in essence, are herbo-metallic systems made of metal and organic complexes and including minor metals and minerals that give them specific direction. When added to specific herbal formulations that are inherently polarized toward different organ systems, the rasa-aushadhis gain direction, penetration, and speed toward their target. Rather than dismissing these formulations as toxic based on our lack of current understanding, there are opportunities to observe how they work chemically, analytically, and clinically to decipher their mechanisms of action, rather than resorting to the novel creation of electronic nanorobots that have no root in the biological systems that include plants and metals taken from the earth. 4. Bhatia B, Kale PG. Analytical Evaluation of an AyurvedicFormulation-Abhrakabhasma .Int J Pharm. Sci Rev Res 2013;23(1):17-23. 5. Bhowmick TK, Suresh AK, Kane SG, Joshi AC, Bellare JR. Physicochemical characterization of an Indian traditional medicine, JasadaBhasma: detection of nanoparticles containing non-stoichiometric zinc oxide. J Nanopart Res 2009;11:655–64. 6. Santhosh B, Raghuveer, Jadar PG, NageswaraRao V. Analytical Study of YashadaBhasma(Zinc Based Ayurvedic Metallic Preparation) with reference to Ancient and Modern Parameters. Open Access Scientific Reports2013;2(1):582. 7. Sah LM and Jha CB. Physico-Chemical and Experimental Study of TamraBhasma. MD (Ayu) thesis in Rasa Shastra, submitted December 2005, Banaras Hindu University. #271677. 8. Reedijk J. Bioinorganic Chemistry. In: Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2013, p2. 9. Krishnamachary B, Rajendran N, Pemiah B, Krishnaswamy S, Krishnan UM, Sethuraman S, Sekar RK. Scientific validation of the different purification steps involved in the preparation of an Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Lauhabhasma. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2012; 142:98–104 How to cite this article: C.B. Jha, B.Bhattacharya, K.K. Narang. Bhasmas as natural nanorobots: the biorelevant metal complex. J. Tradt Nat Med 2015; 1(1): 2-9 Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared. REFERENCES 1. Nalwa HS (ed). Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Technology.volumes 1-25, California: American Scientific Publishers; 2004. 2. Pal D, Sahu CK, Haldar A. Bhasma: The ancient Indian nanomedicine. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2014;5(1)4-12 3. Reineke JJ, ChoDY, Dingle YT, Morello AP, Jacob J, Thanos CG, Mathiowitz E. Unique insights into the intestinal absorption, transit, and subsequent biodistribution of polymer-derived microspheres. PNAS 2013;110(34):13803-13808. 9 Journal of Traditional & Natural Medicines | July-August 2015 | Vol 1 | Issue 1 JTNM http://www.jtnm.in/currentissu.php Home (index.php) | About Us (about.php) | Editorial Board (editor.php) | Instructions (instruction.php) | Downloads (download.php) | Manuscript Submission (manuscript.php) | Ahead of Print (ahead.php) | Current Issue (currentissu.php) | Archives (archives.php) | Contact Us (contact.php) Current Issue Editorial JTNM: A NEW PLATFORM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC TEMPER IN THE FIELD OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINES Volume 1, Issue 1 by S.Palbag The month of August in the year 2015 marks a new dawn in the sky of traditional medicines. The birth of Journal of Traditional and Natural Medicine (JTNM) will bridge the gap between authentic research and investigators and those thirsty students and young mind, which will quenched their thrust with the ambrosia of knowledge of traditional and natural medicines. Through several hurdles and problems ultimately the Journal has been launched. The readers and authors might have noticed the beautiful logo of the Journal. It bears a mortar and pestle with twigs with leaves.................... Click here to download (filedownload.php?file=E:\Inetpub\vhosts\jtnm.in\httpdocs/journal/1440768687JTNM 1(1) 1.pdf) Review BHASMAS AS NATURAL NANOROBOTS: THE BIORELEVANT METAL COMPLEX Volume 1, Issue 1 by C. B. Jha, B.Bhattacharya, K. K. Narang Abstract-Nanorobots are tiny devices programmed by man for a particular function. Similarly, bhasmas are programmed by man to work with particular precision. Through the processes of mardana and bhavana, herbs with affinities to specific parts of the body with specific known actions are added to a metal as its therapeutic properties are released. Since ancient times, bhasmas of minerals and metals have played an important role in alleviating severe diseases as per specific needs of the body. As raw materials, metals have no particular therapeutic property. In fact, they are toxic. But after shodhana, jarana and marana, the large mass of rock can be converted to macroparticles, microparticles and nanoparticles as seen using SEM. The use of mercury facilitates the marana process, separating molecules of metals to allow organic compounds to penetrate between layers and create the microparticles that can absorb into the cellular level. These fine particles appear to be easily incorporated into the body and bioavailable (rasibhavana). But bhasmas are not only natural nanorobots due to size. They are brilliant technology developed by man as they also introduce herbal compounds functioning as carriers and compasses to guide the metal to a particular location. Compounding of individual metal bhasmas into rasa-aushadhi shuttles all components of that formulation to the prescribed location. Arogyavardinivati is one example of an effective rasa-aushadhi with several components focusing toward the liver, oriented by the affinity of neem and kutki, shown clinically to provide hepatoprotection and relieve skin issues. Click here to download (filedownload.php?file=E:\Inetpub\vhosts\jtnm.in\httpdocs/journal/1440769431JTNM 1(1) 2-9.pdf) ROLE OF PUSHKARMOOL IN THE ASTHMA MANAGEMENT: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY Volume 1, Issue 1 by Pooja Khurana, Amitabh Singh, Vikas Saroch Abstract-Tamak Shvasa is considered as main disease of pranvahastrotas. It is mentioned as one of the variety among five types of shvasa. In modern medicine it closely resembles with bronchial asthma. Bronchial Asthma is characterized by paroxysm of dyspnoea accompanied by wheezing resulting from narrowing of bronchial airways by muscle spasm, mucosal swelling or viscid secretions. In today’s stressful modern urbanized living, incidence of asthma is considerably increasing. The available treatment in modern medicine for bronchial asthma is symptomatic and with hazardous side effects. In modern it is mainly treated with steroids. So there is need of safe and effective medicine in Ayurveda for the treatment and management of Tamak Shvasa. This is because of the versatile approach of Ayurveda to the root cause of the problem and its belief in preventing the disease rather than treating it. Several drugs have been described in Ayurveda samhita as single or compound drugs for Shvasa. In this study single herbal drug Pushkarmool is taken for review in the management of asthma. In Ayurveda Pushkarmool is mainly used as a bronchodilator and expectorant. Click here to download (filedownload.php?file=E:\Inetpub\vhosts\jtnm.in\httpdocs/journal/1440769336JTNM 1(1) 10-12.pdf) HEAVY METALS: PLANTS AS A CARRIER AND NEUTRALIZER Volume 1, Issue 1 by Sourabh Dubey, Debadrita Dutta, Ditipriya Mitra Abstract-Pollution is a big problem for modern Civilization as well as for our environment for living. Heavy metals contamination is one of the prime causes of pollution and poses danger for the whole civilization. Plants as food as well as medicine source need special attention because they are easily contaminated by them in the time of growth. Heavy metal like Arsenic(As), Lead(Pb), Mercury(Hg), Manganese(Mn), Cadmium(Cd), Copper(Cu), 1 of 2 8/30/15, 11:40 AM JTNM http://www.jtnm.in/currentissu.php Selenium(Se), Nickel(Ni) etc released from different industry and gets mixed with soil, river water. These heavy metals get accumulated in plant source and ultimately entered in our body during our food intake, produced different types of reaction and metabolite in our body. Some of these are essential for our physiological activities on a specific range, but more than that value it’s be harmful or toxic for living cells. There are certain plants like Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, etc which act as heavy metal neutralizers. This review will focus over the critical role of plants as a carrier and neutralizers for heavy metals. Click here to download (filedownload.php?file=E:\Inetpub\vhosts\jtnm.in\httpdocs/journal/1440769233JTNM 1(1) 13-16.pdf) ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL PLANT HINGU Volume 1, Issue 1 by Sucheta Mondal, D.N.S Gautam Abstracts-Ayurvedic plants are the indigenous treasure of India. One of them is Hingu. It is the oleo gum resin of the plant. Several traditional uses have been documented in the ancient texts of Ayurveda. Further more modern pharmacological research proves that ancient documented ethnopharmacology. This review comprehensively compiled the ethno-pharmacology and pharmacology of Hingu till 2015. Click here to download (filedownload.php?file=E:\Inetpub\vhosts\jtnm.in\httpdocs/journal/1440769148JTNM 1(1) 17-20.pdf) Home (index.php) | About Us (about.php) | Editorial Board (editor.php) | Instructions (instruction.php) | Downloads (download.php) | Manuscript Submission (manuscript.php) | Ahead of Print (ahead.php) | Current Issue (currentissu.php) | Archives (archives.php) | © 2014-2015 Journal of Traditional and Natural Medicines . All rights reserved. Contact Us (contact.php) Developed byPDS Technology India (http://www.pdstechnologyindia.com/) (https://www.facebook.com /groups /444714739027120 /?ref=br_rs) (http://www.twitter.com/) (https://plus.google.com /117087760656283225293 /posts?hl=en) 2 of 2 8/30/15, 11:40 AM