Comparative pharmaceutico-analytical study of Rasamanikya prepared by two different Shodhana media of Haratala (orpiment)

Introduction: Foremost, Rasamanikya is described in Rasendra Chintamani by Acharya Dhundhuknath. It is a formulation that is prepared from the arsenical drug, i.e., orpiment (Haratala). Haratala is classified under Uparasa Varga in Rasa classics and is also included under Schedule E1 in D and C act 1940. In classics, there are so many media mentioned for purification process (Shodhana) of orpiment. In the present study, Kushmanda Swarasa (juice of Benincasa hispida [Thunb.] Cogn) and Churnodaka (lime water) are adopted as the purification media for orpiment. Aim: The aim of this study was to standardize the pharmaceutical procedure of Rasamanikya and develop a comparative analytical profile of both the formulation, i.e., Rasamanikya prepared by Kushmanda Swarasa and Churnodaka Shodhita Haratala. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in two stages as follows: Shodhana of Haratala and preparation of Rasamanikya by Kupipakwa method. Both the samples of Rasamanikya were analyzed for organoleptic and physicochemical parameters. The samples of final products were also analyzed through sophisticated analytical parameters, i.e., X-ray diffraction (XRD), Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), CHNS and O, Field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). Results: Average 2 h duration was required for the preparation of Rasamanikya formulation from 600 g of purified orpiment. In XRD analysis, both samples have different diffraction patterns. In ICP-AES analysis, both samples have the same percentage of arsenic. More percentage loss was noted in the TGA of Rasamanikya prepared with Churnodaka Shodhita Haratala than that of Kushmanda Swarasa Shodhita Haratala. Conclusion: Rasamanikya prepared by two different media of Shodhita Haratala did not found to have a substantial difference in pharmaceutical procedure. However, there was a considerable difference in the analytical study. Kupipakwa procedure can be used for large-scale preparation.