A comparative pharmaceutical standardization study of Rasamanikya prepared by three different methods

Abstract

Rasamanikya is an ancient Ayurvedic medicine described in our classical texts. It is known to be effective in many types of Vaata-kaphaja disorders like Shwasa, Kasa, Kushtha, etc., which are commonly encountered cases in clinical practice. However, since it is an arsenic-containing compound, Rasamanikya is not frequently used for such diseases. Hence, it becomes essential that the drug prepared from its compounds be optimally safe and effective without producing toxicity. Numerous methods have been described in Ayurved classics for the preparation of Rasamanikya. Classically, it is prepared by placing Shuddha Hartala between two Abhrakapatra (sheets of mica) and heating it directly, but a few other methods have also been used. This study aims to determine the physicochemical and pharmaceutical characteristics of Rasamanikya prepared by three different methods, viz. 1) Abhraka Patra method, 2) Sharava samput method, 3) Light bulb method, and developing Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for manufacturing this drug.