Process Validation of Kushtasazi in the Preparation of Kushtae Sadaf

Abstract

The available forms of formulations in the Unani System of Medicine (USM) intended to treat the diseases either in semisolid sweetened forms such as Majoon, Jawarish, Khameera, Laooq, Itrifal or in liquid and dried forms such as Sharbat (Syrup), Arq (Distillate), Habb (Pil), Qurs (Tablet), Safoof (Powder), etc. There are large number of dosage forms used in the USM. Kushta (Calx) is also one among these compound formulations which is the finest powder dosage form of medicine. The preparation of Kushta is more complex as compared to other Unani dosage forms. It involves mainly two steps viz., purification/detoxification of sample and then ignition at high temperature. Kushta is made up of mineral and animal origin drugs. Since mineral and animal drugs are usually toxic in nature, therefore it is mandatory that drug sample should go through various purification procedures. Unani physicians described the methodology to carry out the process of purification but this methodology yet have not been scientifically validated to claim the changes in toxicological symptoms. In the present study, an attempt has been made to validate all the processes of purification by taking Kushtae Sadaf as a sample. Finally trace element and heavy metal analysis was carried out on raw Sadaf and purified Sadaf to observe the changes after purification processes. After analysis, it may be concluded that many changes were observed in the samples before purification and after purification. Changes were observed in the results of trace elements and heavy metals in the two samples [raw sample (before purification) and processed sample (after purification)]. This study shows that changes were observed after purification procedures and hence validates the procedure of purification and trituration which has been in practice since the inception of this dosage form.

Keywords: Kushta, validation, sadaf

Cite this Article

Irfhan Md N, Shamsi S, Shadab M. Process Validation of Kushtasazi in the Preparation of Kushtae Sadaf. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2017; 6(2): 23–29p.