Study On Effect of Classical Shodhana on Pharmaceutical Properties and Quality Attributes of Tankana

Abstract

Background-In Ayurveda, Tankan (Borax) is extensively utilized for therapeutic purpose. But Indian Alchemist (Rasa Vaidya) have mentioned about pharmaceutical process like Shodhana (purification) that must be performed over Tankan before incorporating it for therapeutic use to improve its quality and safety. Although this procedure is followed since long period still there is insufficient analytical evidence documenting regarding physico-chemical changes induced by Shodhana.

Aim-This study focused to compare the physico-chemical characteristics of raw and Shodhita (purified) Tankana and to provide laboratory based validation for the traditional purification process.

Material and Method-Raw Tankana was purified by controlled heating as per the procedure in Rasa Shastra text. Colour, texture, pH, solubility, hygroscopicity, angle of repose, bulk density, and loss on drying were examined for both raw and purified samples of Tankan in a certified laboratory.

Result-Features like alkaline nature, white colour and water solubility were maintained in purified sample, but changes were observed in its texture from slightly granular to a fine form, free-flowing powder consistency. Loss on drying dropped significantly from 22.0% to 0.66%  indicating effective removal of moisture and water of crystallization while bulk density decreased from 0.64 g/mL to 0.35 g/mL Altered powder flow behaviour  were observed which was reflected from  the angle of repose  that increased from 42.93° to 53.67° following purification.

Conclusion-These numerical confirms that that traditional shodhana substantially preserved its intrinsic alkaline properties while modifying the physico-chemical profile of Tankana. Thus the outcomes supported the pharmaceutical rationale for purifying Tankana prior to its incorporation into Ayurvedic formulations and furnish a core for its analytical standardization.