Analytical Study of Brahmi Ghrita

Dr. Srinibash Sahoo¹*, Dr. B.C.S. Rao², Dr. A.K. Das³, Dr. Kamadev Das⁴

¹Research Officer (Ay), Scientist-2, ACAMHNS (CCRAS),NIMHANS, Bangalore, PhD Scholar

²Research Officer (Ay), Scientist-3, ACAMHNS (CCRAS), NIMHANS, Bangalore

³Prof. & Head, Dept. of R.S & V.K, G.A.M, Puri, Odisha

⁴Prof. & Ex-Principal, G.A.M, Puri, Odisha

*Corresponding Author E-mail:

ABSTRACT:

Recently, the interest in the use of herbal products has grown dramatically in the western world as well as in developed countries. The vast majorities of currently available psychoactive drugs as herbal remedies today seem to be a reflection of such a situation. In the folklore of Indian medicine, several medicines (herbs, ghees, minerals and metals) have been used traditionally as brain or nerve tonics. One of the most popular of this medicine is Brahmi Ghrita a well-known memory booster. This comprehensive review summarizes our current knowledge of the major bioactivities and clinical efficacy of Brahmi Ghrita, one of the currently popular central nervous system (CNS) activating medicine.

The Brahmi Ghrita which is a known drug for its mode of action through pacifying both Sharirika and Manasika doshas which are mainly involved in pathogenesis of Kaphaja Unmada. Similarly, the combinations of herbal drugs in Brahmi Ghrita are basically mentioned as Medhya Rasayanas in Ayurvedic classics. Hence due of their Medhya Rasayana property these drugs enriching the nutritional value of the Medha and thereby helping to cure the patients suffering with Kaphaja Unmada (Depressive Illness)

The currently prepared Brahmi Ghrita is established as safe to use in current clinical study on Kaphaja Unmada (Depressive Illness) as per the analytical studies done above

KEY WORDS: Brahmi Ghrita, Analytical Study, Medhya Rasayana, Kaphajaunmada

INTRODUCTION:

Recently, the interest in the use of herbal products has grown dramatically in the western world as well as in developed countries.[1] It is now becoming exceedingly apparent that available psychotherapeutics does not properly meet therapeutic demands of a vast majority of patients with mental health problems, and that herbal remedies remain to be the ultimate therapeutic hope for many such patients in the western world and elsewhere.^[2] The vast majorities of currently available psychoactive drugs as herbal remedies today seem to be a reflection of such a situation.

In the folklore of Indian medicine, several medicines (herbs, ghees, minerals and metals) have been used traditionally as brain or nerve tonics. One of the most popular of this medicine is Brahmi Ghrita a well-known memory booster. This comprehensive review summarizes our current knowledge of the major bioactivities and clinical efficacy of Brahmi Ghrita, one of the currently popular central nervous system (CNS) activating medicine.

Brahmi being a Medhya drug is recommended for various psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders. Most of the formulations acting on mind are ghee based. It is well established that, the drugs to have its action on brain should have the capacity to cross the blood brain barrier and for that purpose ghee is the best drug vehicle. Brahmi Ghrita is recommended for the management of Unmada (Insanity), Alakshmi (Inauspicious), Apasmara (Epilepsy), Papavikaras (Diseases due to sinful acts) [3] and for Graha Rogas (Diseases afflicted by evil spirits).[4] This Brahmi Ghrita was taken for a clinical study on Kaphaja Unmada (Depressive Illness)

Ingredients of Brahmi Ghrita [5]

Sl. No Name Botanical Name Parts Used Form Quantity

01 Brahmi Bacopa monnieri(L) Whole Plant Juice 01Part

02 Vacha Acorus calamus, Linn Rhizome Powder 01Part

03 Kustha Saussurea lappa, C.B.Clerke Rhizome Powder 01Part

04 Shankhapuspi Convolvulus pluricaulis, choisy Whole Plant Powder 01Part

05 Go-ghrita(Cow’s ghee) -- -- -- 04 Parts

Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka and Prabhava of ingredients of Brahmi Ghrita [6] -[8]

Drug	Rasa	Guna	Virya	Vipaka	Prabhava
Brahmi	Tikta	Laghu, Sara	Sheeta	Madhura	Medhya
Vacha	Katu, Tikta	Laghu, Teekshna, Sara	Ushna	Katu	Medhya
Kustha	Tikta, Katu, Madhura	Laghu, Ruksha, Teekshna	Ushna	Katu	--
Shankhapuspi	Tikta	Snigdha,Pichhila	Shita	Madhura	Medhya
Go-ghrita	Mdhura	Guru,Snigdha	Shita	Madhura	Medhya

Preparation of Brahmi Ghrita:

The Brahmi Grita was prepared in the pharmacy of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya , Puri, Orissa as per the Sneha Kalpana described in Sharangadhara Samhita. Brahmi Swarasa was extracted by exerting mechanical pressure on fresh Brahmi. In a large vessel Go-Ghrita was poured, when it liquefies under moderate flame, Kalka of Vacha, Kushtha, Shankhapushpi made in Brahmi Swarasa was added, followed by addition of Brahmi Swarasa. To get final product, the contents were subjected to heat till up to Sneha Siddhi Lakshanas were observed.[9]

Analytical Study of Brahmi Grita:

After preparation of Brahmi Ghrita it was sent to Quality control laboratory of A.L.N. Memorial Ayurveda Medical College and P.G. Center, Koppa, Karnataka. The following result was obtained after analysis.

1. Organoleptic Characters:

Colour : Straw

Odur : Characteristic (of ghee)

Appearance : Semisolid

Test : Bitter

2. Physico-chemical Parameters

Loss on drying at 110 degree C : 0.08%

Refractive index at 40degree C : 1.4567

Acid Value : 1.45

Saponification Value : 218.80

Iodine Value : 32.85

Easter value : 217.35

Peroxide Value : 3.30

Viscosity (in cp) at 40degree C : 25235.75

Weight per ml : 0.938gm

Specific Gravity (melted) : 0.9474

3. Thin layer chromatography:

Solvent System: Dichloromethane: Methanol: Water: 9:2:02

Spraying Agent: Anisaldehyde Sulphuric Acid

Rf	Before Derivetization		After Derivetization
Rf	Under Visible Light	Under Long UV	UnderVisible Light	Under Long UV
0.06	---	---	Pale Yellow	Pale Yellow
0.10	---	Florescent Blue	Pale Green	Pale Green
0.25	---	---	Pale Blue	Pale Green
0.36	---	---	Pale Green	Florescent Yellow
0.49	---	---	Pale Pink	Florescent Green
0.52	---	Blue	Grey Green	Orange

DISCUSSION:

Discussion on Analytical Study of Brahmi Grita:

The organoleptic characters of Brahmighrita revealed its straw color and characteristic odour with semi-solid appearance and bitter taste. The characteristic odour was dominantly of ghrita while bitter taste was due to ingredients rich in bitter compounds.

The physico-chemical parameters analyzed exposed the little or almost negligible quantity of moisture being 0.08% which means less chances of deterioration is there. Refractive index of Brahmi ghrita was almost near to ghrita. Slight increase in reading might be due to complexes formed between fatty acid ingredients of ghrita and compounds of ingredients.

The acid value was 1.45. The acid value is amount of acid present with the material. Its lesser number indicates less rancidity as the glycerides are converted to fatty acid and glycerol by rancidity and due to this acid number gets increased.

Saponification value is measurement of chain length or molecular weight of fatty acids present with material. Small chain fatty acids have higher saponification value as more moles potassium hydroxides are needed to saponify the fatty acids. In present case, it was noted as 218.80, which indicates lower chain fatty acids present with formulation.

Ester value is differences of saponification value and acid value. It is measurement of esters present with material. In present case it was 217.35. Peroxide value gives idea about the rancidity in unsaturated fats and oils. It is important as double bonds present with fats are susceptible to oxidation and by this, oxidative rancidity is caused. For present study it was 3.30. The value obtained was under the safe range as suggested by Pharmacopoeial standards.

Viscosity of Brahmi ghrita was 25235.75 centipoise at 40°C. It is resistance to deformation by shear stress or tensile stress. It is due to friction in neighboring particles. As the viscosity was more than water, it liquid is viscous in nature at this temperature. Specific gravity was observed as 0.9438. It is density of ghrita compared to distilled water.

The currently prepared Brahmi Ghrita is established as safe to use in current clinical study on Kaphaja Unmada (Depressive Illness) as per the analytical studies done above.

CONCLUSION:

On the basis of its analytical studies the drug Brahmi Ghrita prepared at Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya , Puri, Orissa is safe and can be used for current trial. Based on the properties like rasa,guna,virya,vipaka of the ingredients of Brahmi Ghrita and medhya prabhava this drug is selected for the study on the patients suffering with Kaphaja Unmada (Depressive Illness) with an objective to document the efficacy of the drug in current study. The clinical results of the study will be published later.

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Received on 20.09.2014 Modified on 05.10.2014

Res. J. Pharmacology & P’dynamics. 6(4): Oct. - Dec.2014; Page 193-196