Journal of Ayurveda (Jan 2021)
Antipyretic activity of mrityunjaya rasa prepared by various compounds of mercury in experimental animals
Abstract
Introduction: Mrityunjaya Rasa(MR) is a herbomineral Ayurvedic anti-pyretic formulation containing Shuddha Hingula (Purified Cinnabar), Shuddha Gandhaka (Purified Sulphur), Shuddha Tankana (Purified Borax), Shuddha Vatsanabh (Purified Aconite) Pippali (Piper lonum) and Maricha (Piper nigrum). Objective: The present pharmacological study was undertaken to study the comparative antipyretic activity of different samples of Mrityunjaya Rasa with slight variations in ingredients; Mrityunjaya Rasa 'A' (Hingula based), Mrityunjaya Rasa 'B' (Kajjali based), Mrityunjaya Rasa 'C' (Rasasindura based), Mrityunjaya Rasa 'D' (without metallic content). Material and Method: Pyrexia was induced by subcutaneous injection of 20% wt/v of Brewer's yeast in distilled water (10ml/kg) in 36 animals divided into 6 groups, each group containing 6 animals. Basal rectal temperature was measured before the injection of yeast, and the rise in rectal temperature was recorded after 18 hrs of yeast injection. Group 'A' treated as normal control while group 'B' as standard control (treated with Paracetamol) Group C, D, E, F were drug tested groups. Results: The data generated during all stages of study showed that all samples of Mrityunjaya Rasa (22.5 mg/kg per day) exert highly significant (P<0.001) decrease in temperature after ½ hour and 1 hr of administration except Mrityunjaya Rasa D which was non-significant after 1 hr. Mrityunjaya Rasa ′C′ (Rasasindura based), was found to be significant (P<0.05) even after 3 hrs in comparison to standard drug (Paracetamol). Conclusion: The results of present study show the importance of mercury in intensifying the therapeutic efficacy of a formulation. Further, result obtained in Mrityunjaya Rasa containing Rasasindura group explains the importance of concept of gandhakaj jarana in rasashastra.
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