Abstracts for Weekly Seminar on 08/08/2012

SAGANDHA RASA YOGAS – SAFETY ASSURANCE

Salini D N, Department of Rasasastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana

            Ayurvedic community is now facing issues related with heavy metal toxicity. International journals like JAMA, NIH etc have published many articles regarding the toxicity issues of Ayurvedic formulations. Most of the cases were related with Lead and Arsenic. Not even a single case has been reported on Mercuric toxicity by consuming classical Ayurvedic preparations. Practice of Rasasasthra is not so common in Kerala. Reluctance in the practice may be due to the fear of toxicity issues. In this paper Sagandha rasa yogas are dealt in detail. Sagandha rasa yogas are the formulations containing Parada and Gandhaka. Acharyas have mentioned about the safety of Sagandha rasa preparations As per Rasa classics, Parada is used in formulations either in the form of Hingula, Kajjali or Parpati. All of them are found to be chemically Mercuric sulphide.. Chinese medicine is another traditional system of medicine in which Cinnabar (mercuric sulphide) is widely used. Toxicity study of Cinnabar in albino rats was conducted by the scholars of Chinese medicine and the conclusion was that Mercuric sulphide can be used safely within the therapeutic dose. The quantity of Mercuric sulphide, present in some classical Rasa formulations was evaluated and compared with safe dose obtained from the above mentioned animal study. On comparison the quantity of Mercuric sulphide present in classical formulations  found to be very low, showing their safety. 

PRESCRIPTION OF PATENTED PRODUCTS–OPENING
THE PANDORA’S BOX

Divya P, Dept. of Rasasastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana

                        Ayurvedic medicines are now considered as an important source of heavy metal toxicity. A lot of cases are being reported in India and abroad. This has resulted in a fear for classical Herbo mineral formulations (HMF) among practitioners leading to a decreased practice of such formulations day by day in Kerala. At the same time patented products are becoming more and more popular. A survey was conducted to evaluate the situation. The manufacture and sale of Ayurvedic classical and patented products are regulated by the Drugs and Cosmetic act implemented in 1940 and the rules under that established in 1945. Unfortunately many of these rules are violated in the patented medicines that are available in market. Some of the common violations seen will be described in detail in the paper. The advertisements of medicines are regulated by the drugs and magic remedies act. This act is also violated to a great extent in the case of Ayurvedic medicines. The possible solutions for the problem also will be suggested.

Links for ADR reporting

http://www.ayurveduniversity.com/downloads/ADR%20form.pdf
http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/m/abstract/Js17085e/