Email address:
publication@trivedieffect.com (S. Jana)
*
Corresponding author
Received: February 24, 2017; Accepted: March 8, 2017; Published: April 1, 2017
Abstract: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract contains lot of biologically active metabolites, which have a broad
range of pharmacological activities. The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of The Trivedi Effect - Energy of
Consciousness Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Healing Treatment) on the physical, spectroscopic, thermal and behavioral
properties of ashwagandha root extract using PXRD, PSD, FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy, TGA, and DSC analysis. Ashwagandha root
extract was divided into two parts one part was control without any Biofield Energy Treatment and another part was treated with the
Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment remotely by seven renowned Biofield Energy Healers and defined as The Trivedi
Effect treated sample. The PXRD analysis exhibited that both the treated and control samples were amorphous in nature. The
particle size values at d10, d50, and d90 of the treated sample were decreased by 8.41%, 0.51%, and 7.88%, respectively compared with
the control sample. The surface area analysis revealed that the surface area of the treated sample was significantly increased by 5%
compared to the control sample. The FT-IR analysis indicated the alteration of the force constant for the functional groups of the
treated sample in comparison to the control sample. The UV-vis analysis revealed that the wavelength for the maximum absorbance
of the control and treated samples were at 205.3 and 205.0 nm, respectively. The TGA analysis revealed that the total weight loss was
decreased by 0.65% in the treated sample compared with the control sample. The DSC analysis indicated that the onset, peak, and
endset vaporization temperature of the treated sample were significantly increased by 41.97%, 23.51%, and 8.82%, respectively as
compared to the control sample. The latent heat of vaporization (H) of the treated (239.96 J/g) sample was significantly increased by
39.84% compared with the control (171.60 J/g) sample. This indicated that the treated sample was thermally more stable as compared
to the control sample. The current findings suggested that The Trivedi Effect - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment
(Biofield Energy Healing) might have the astounding capacity to enhance the solubility, absorption, dissolution, and bioavailability of
ashwagandha root extract in various form of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulation by modifying its particle size and surface
area. Thus, the treated ashwagandha root extract might provide better therapeutic response against against inflammatory diseases,
immunological disorders, stress, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, sexual disorders, aging and other chronic infections.
Keywords: Withania somnifera, Biofield Energy Healing Treatment, Biofield Energy Healers,
Consciousness Energy Healing, The Trivedi Effect, Particle Size, TGA, DSC
29 Mahendra Kumar Trivedi et al.: Effects of the Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment on Physical, Spectroscopic,
Thermal and Behavioral Properties of Ashwagandha Root Extract
reproducing the desired effects in human as well as to compound under the laboratory conditions. None of the
determine the safe, non-toxic and effective dosage form [47]. Biofield Energy Healers in this study visited the laboratory in
The physicochemical properties such as particle size, person, nor had any contact with the compounds. Similarly,
crystalline structure, crystallite size, surface area, etc. and the control compound was subjected to sham healers for 5
thermal properties of a drug play a vital role in bioavailability minutes, under the same laboratory conditions. The sham
as well as stability of the drug during processing, healer did not have any knowledge about Biofield Energy
formulation, storage, and packaging [48, 49]. Biofield Treatment. After that, the treated and untreated samples were
Energy Treatment (The Trivedi Effect) has been reported to kept in similar sealed conditions and characterized
change the particle size, specific surface area, crystalline, thoroughly by PXRD, PSD, FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy,
chemical and thermal behavior of an atom/ion through TGA, and DSC analysis.
possible mediation of neutrinos [50]. By considering all these
aspect, the objective of the current study was to examine 2.3. Characterization
whether the Biofield Energy Treatment can change the 2.3.1. Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) Analysis
physical, structural, and thermal properties of ashwagandha The PXRD analysis was accomplished on PANalytical
root extract in such a way that might be assist in the Xpert Pro powder X-ray diffractometer system. The X-ray
improvement of the solubility and absorption of of wavelength 1.54056 was used. The data was collected in
ashwagandha root extract and also help in designing of any the form of a chart of the Bragg angle (2) vs. intensity, and a
suitable pharmaceutical formulation. The physical, detailed table containing information on peak intensity
spectroscopic, and thermal properties of both control and the counts, d value (), relative intensity (%), full width half
Biofield Energy Treated ashwagandha root extracts were maximum (FWHM) (). From the XRD results, the
evaluated using various analytical techniques include Fourier crystallite size (G) was calculated using Xpert data collector
transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible and Xpert high score plus processing software. A total of
(UV-vis) spectroscopy, Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), ~500 mg of the control and treated samples individually were
particle size distribution analysis (PSD), thermogravimetric used for the analysis and prepared by back loading technique
analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). using the sample preparation kit. The sample was spread on
the holder ring in sufficient quantity to fill the ring cavity. It
2. Materials and Methods was then pressed down using powder press block and scrap
the powder that was in surplus using a glass slide to get
2.1. Chemicals and Reagents densely packed specimen. Consequently, the bottom plate
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root hydroalcoholic was placed onto the holder ring and clamp in position. The
extract was purchased from Sanat Product Ltd., India. All sample holder was then removed from the sample preparation
other chemicals used in the experiment were of analytical table by turning it upside down. A smooth surface of sample
grade available in India. was obtained to ensure optimum results.
2.2. Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment Strategies 2.3.2. Particle Size Distribution (PSD) Analysis
The average particle size and particle size distribution
Ashwagandha root extract powder was one of the were analyzed using Malvern Mastersizer 2000, UK with a
components of the new proprietary herbomineral detection range between 0.01 m to 3000 m. The sample
formulation, developed by our research team, and it was used unit was filled with the dispersant medium and operated the
per se as the test compound for the current study. The test stirrer at 2500 rpm. Alignment of the optics was done and the
compound was divided into two parts, one part of the test background measurement was taken. After the background
compound was treated with The Trivedi Effect - Energy of measurement, the sample was added in to the sample unit
Consciousness Healing Treatment (Biofield Energy Healing) with constant monitoring the obscuration and stopped the
by renowned Biofield Energy Healers and defined as The addition of sample when the obscuration reached in between
Trivedi Effect treated sample, while the second part of the 15% to 20%. When the obscuration was stable, the
test compound did not receive any sort of such treatment and measurement was taken twice and the average was taken of
defined as untreated or control ashwagandha root extract two measurements. The average histogram of the two
sample. The Trivedi Effect treatment was provided by the measurements was recorded. Along with histogram, the data
group of seven renowned Biofield Energy Healers who was presented in table format which include particle size
participated in this study and performed the Biofield Energy (m). Also, the values at below 10% level (d10), 50% level
Treatment (The Trivedi Effect) remotely. All seven Biofield (d50), and 90% level (d90), were calculated from the
Energy Healers were remotely located in the U.S.A., while histogram and the calculations such as surface area (m2/g)
the test compound was located in the research laboratory of were done by using software Mastersizer 2000.
GVK Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India. This The Percent change in particle size (d) for at below 10% level
Trivedi Effect - Energy of Consciousness Healing (d10), 50% level (d50), and 90% level (d90) was calculated
Treatment was provided for 5 minutes through Healers using following equation 1:
Unique Energy Transmission process remotely to the test
31 Mahendra Kumar Trivedi et al.: Effects of the Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment on Physical, Spectroscopic,
Thermal and Behavioral Properties of Ashwagandha Root Extract
) )
% change in particle size 1 (1) % change in melting point 100 (4)
)
Where, dControl and dTreated are the particle size (m) for at Where, TControl and TTreated are the melting point of the
below 10% level (d10) 50% level (d50) and 90% level (d90) of control and treated samples, respectively.
the control and treated samples, respectively. Percent change in latent heat of fusion (H) was calculated
Percent change in surface area (S) was calculated using using following equation 5:
following equation 2: *+ ,+
% change in latent heat of fusion 100 (5)
# # ,+
% change in surface area 100 (2)
#
Where, HControl and HTreated are the latent heat of fusion
Where, SControl and STreated are the surface area of the of the control and treated samples, respectively.
control and treated samples, respectively.
2.3.3. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy
3. Results and Discussion
FT-IR spectroscopy of ashwagandha root extract was 3.1. Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) Analysis
performed on Spectrum two (Perkin Elmer, USA) Fourier
transform infrared spectrometer with the frequency array of Powder X-ray diffraction study was conducted to examine
400-4000 cm-1 by using pressed KBr disk technique. the crystalline pattern of the control and treated ashwagandha
root extract. The PXRD diffractograms of the control and
2.3.4. Ultra Violet-visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) Analysis treated ashwagandha root extracts did not contribute any
The UV-Vis spectral analysis was carried out using diffraction peak and it was concluded that both the samples
Shimadzu UV-2450 with UV Probe, Japan. The spectrum were amorphous in nature (Figure 2).
was recorded using 1 cm quartz cell that has a slit width of
1.0 nm. The wavelength range chosen for recording the
spectra was 190-800 nm. The absorbance spectra (in the
range of 0.2 to 0.9) and wavelength of maximum absorbance
(max) were recorded.
Table 1. Particle size (d10, d50, and d90) and surface area of the control and by 5% from the control sample (0.20 m2/g). Numerous
Biofield Energy Treated W. somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract. literatures mentioned that particle size, shape and surface
Surface area area of the pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals have an important
Parameter d10 (m) d50 (m) d90 (m)
(m2/g) impact on solubility, dissolution, in vivo bioavailability, dose
Control 22.82 71.19 172.34 0.20 uniformity and therapeutic efficacy as well as assist in the
Biofield Energy
20.90 70.83 158.76 0.21 design of the new drug delivery systems [51]. Decrease in
Treated
*
Percent change (%) -8.41 -0.51 -7.88 5.00 particle size and higher surface area increase the solubility of
*
the solid particles as well as enhance the dissolution rate and
denotes the percentage change in the particle size (d10, d50, and d90) and
bioavailability [52]. Thus, it is anticipated that The Trivedi
surface area of the Biofield Energy Treated sample with respect to the
control sample. Effect treated ashwagandha root extract might be absorbed
in faster rate and thus, can provide better bioavailability than
The results revealed that there may be an effect of high the untreated sample.
energy milling induced through the Biofield Energy
3.3. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy
Treatment to the ashwagandha root extract. The surface area
analysis of both the control and treated ashwagandha root The FT-IR spectra of both the control and Energy of
extract revealed that the surface area of the Biofield Energy Consciousness Healing Treated samples of ashwagandha root
Treated ashwagandha root extract (0.21 m2/g) was enhanced extract are presented in Figure 3.
Figure 3. FT-IR spectra of the control and Biofield Energy Treated W. somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract.
The wavenumber of the absorbance of a diatomic can be From the above equation (6), it has been shown that if
calculated from the following equation derived from the other factors remain constant, the vibrational frequency
Hookes law (Eq. 6): (wavenumber) is directly proportional to the force constant
i.e. for a certain functional group (for e.g. -C=O), changes in
. 3 456 7 58 9
- 2 (6) the vibrational frequency (wavenumber) indicate the
/01 56 58
alteration of the force constant. Several factors such as
Where, v = vibrational frequency (cm-1), c = the velocity of hybridization, resonance, bond strength, conjugation, etc. can
light (cm/s), m1 and m2 = the mass of atoms 1 and 2, affect the force constant [53, 54].
respectively, in g, f = the force constant of the bond From the Table 2, it has been observed that the
(dyne/cm). wavenumber for the O-H stretching, C-O alkoxy groups of
Biofield Energy Treated ashwagandha (Table 2, entry 1 and
33 Mahendra Kumar Trivedi et al.: Effects of the Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment on Physical, Spectroscopic,
Thermal and Behavioral Properties of Ashwagandha Root Extract
Table 2. FT-IR data of the control and Biofield Energy Treated W. somnifera
(Ashwagandha) root extracts.
It is assumed that the alteration of the force constant for Figure 4. UV-vis spectra of the control and Biofield Energy Treated W.
the functional groups might be due to the change in the bond somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extracts.Hence, it is anticipated that the
structure of the phytoconstituents in the treated sample was remained
strength of the functional groups of the treated sample unaffected as compared to the control sample.
compared to the control sample. The presence of epoxide,
unsaturated lactone, 1-keto-2-ene functions play a vital role 3.5. Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)
to elicit the pharmacological activities of withanolides [14,
55-57]. From the Table 2, it has been found that these type of TGA was applied to investigate the thermal stability of the
functional groups were altered in the treated ashwagandha in both control and treated ashwagandha root extracts. The TGA
comparison to the control sample. Hence, it is assumed that analysis exhibited three steps of thermal degradation as
The Trivedi Effect treatment might be responsible for mentioned in Table 3 and Figure 5. In the 1st and 3rd step thermal
changing the structural features of the ashwagandha root degradation, the weight loss of the treated ashwagandha root
powder extract. extract (1st step = 10.55% and 2nd step = 10.40%) were reduced
by 4.09% and 4.32%, respectively compared with the control
3.4. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) Analysis sample (1st step =11.00% and 2nd step = 10.87%).
The UV-visible spectra of both the control and treated Table 3. Thermal degradation steps of the control and Biofield Energy
ashwagandha root extracts are shown in Figure 4. The Treated W. somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract.
wavelength for the maximum absorbance (max) of both the Temperature (oC) % Weight loss %
control and treated ashwagandha root extracts were at 205.3 S. No.
Control Treated Control Treated Change
and 205.0 nm, respectively and there was a minor shift of 1st step of
185.00 185.00 11.00 10.55 -4.09
absorbance maxima from the control sample (1.6140) to the degradation
treated sample (1.2553). It has been reported that the 2nd step of
485.00 485.00 56.59 57.00 0.72
degradation
wavelength for the maximum absorbance for the
3rd step of
ashwagandha root extract was at 208.50 nm [58]. However, degradation
895.90 895.90 10.87 10.40 -4.32
no significant change in the max of the treated sample was Total weight loss - - 78.46 77.95 -0.65
observed compared to the control sample. The UV *
denotes the percentage change in the weight loss of the Biofield Energy
absorbance occurs due to the different type of energy Treated sample with respect to the control sample.
transitions from the singlet to the singlet excited state such as
, n , . These type of electronic transitions Furthermore, the weight loss of the second step
are occurred when the difference in energy between the degradation of the treated ashwagandha root extract (57.00%)
lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and the was decreased by 0.72% with respect to the control sample
highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is significantly (56.59 %). However, the total weight loss of the treated
higher than the activation energy of the compound [59]. sample (77.95%) was reduced by 0.65% from the control
sample (78.46%). It is then anticipated that The Trivedi
Effect treatment might enhance the thermal stability of the
ashwagandha root extract.
American Journal of Applied Chemistry 2017; 5(2): 28-37 34
Figure 5. TGA thermograms of the control and Biofield Energy Treated W. somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract.
Figure 6. The DTG thermograms of the control and Biofield Energy Treated W. somnifera root extract.
Table 4. The melting point (C) and latent heat of fusion (J/G) values of the control and Biofield Energy Treated W. somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract.
Sample Onset vaporization Peak vaporization Endset vaporization Latent heat of vaporization
temperature (Tonset) C temperature (Tpeak) C temperature (Tendset) C (Hvaporization) J/g
Control 42.05 79.36 114.87 171.60
Biofield Energy Treated 59.70 98.02 125.00 239.96
% Change* 41.97 23.51 8.82 39.84
Tonset: Onset vaporization temperature, Tpeak: Peak vaporization temperature, Tendset: Endset vaporization temperature, H: Latent heat of vaporization, adenotes
the percentage change of the Biofield Energy Treated sample with respect to the control sample.
The onset, peak, and endset vaporization temperature of compared to the control sample. In summary, The Trivedi
the Biofield Energy Treated sample were significantly Effect treated ashwagandha root extract could be more
improved by 41.97%, 23.51%, 8.82%, respectively as soluble, absorbable from the gut and more bioavailable as
compared to the control sample. Similarly the latent heat compared to the untreated compound and be suitable for any
vaporization (H) of the Biofield Energy Treated sample, oral pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulation which
also increased significantly by 39.84% as compared to the might be providing better therapeutic response against
control sample (Table 4). However, the Biofield Energy various diseases such as diabetes mellitus, allergies and
Treated, and control W. somnifera indicated several septic shock; stress-related disorders like sleep disorder,
endothermic peak around 200C respectively (Figure 6). insomnia, anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit Disorder
Several small endothermic peaks were also observed in the (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD),
thermogram of both in control and treated samples, which mental restlessness (mind chattering), brain frog, low libido,
may be due to the multiple phytoconstituents present in the impotency, lack of motivation, mood swings, fear of the
root extract in a very small concentration [60, 61]. In the future, confusion, migraines, headaches, forgetfulness,
Biofield Energy Treated sample the endothermic peak was overwhelm, loneliness, worthlessness, indecisiveness,
sharp and significantly prominent as compared to the control frustration, irritability, chronic fatigue, obsessive/compulsive
sample (Figure 6). It is assumed that The Trivedi Effect - behavior and panic attacks; inflammatory diseases and
Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment might improve immunological disorders like Lupus, Systemic Lupus
the intermolecular force in the treated sample, which Erythematosus, Hashimoto Thyroiditis, Type 1 Diabetes,
probably increased the thermal stability of ashwagandha root Asthma, Chronic peptic ulcers, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis,
extract. Chronic active hepatitis, Celiac Disease (gluten-sensitive
enteropathy), Addison Disease, Crohn's disease, Graves
4. Conclusions Disease, Pernicious and Aplastic Anemia, Sjogren
Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Multiple
The current research work revealed that The Trivedi Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic periodontitis,
Effect - Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment Ulcerative colitis, Chronic sinusitis, Myasthenia Gravis,
(Biofield Energy Healing) has the outstanding capability for Atherosclerosis, Vasculitis, Dermatitis, Diverticulitis,
reduction of the particle size of the ashwagandha root extract Rheumatoid Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, Alopecia Areata,
along with enhanced surface area. The particle size values at Psoriasis, Scleroderma, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue
d10, d50, and d90 values of the treated sample were decreased Syndrome and Vitiligo; aging-related diseases like
by 8.41%, 0.51%, and 7.88%, respectively compared with the cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimers disease,
control sample. The surface area analysis revealed that the dementia, cataracts, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension,
surface area of the treated sample was significantly increased glaucoma, hearing loss, Parkinsons Disease, Huntingtons
by 5% as compared to the control sample. The FT-IR Disease, Prion Disease, Motor Neurone Disease,
analysis revealed that The Trivedi Effect - Energy of Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Spinal muscular atrophy,
Consciousness Healing Treatment had an effect on the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreichs Ataxia and Lewy
structural properties of the ashwagandha root extract by Body Disease, chronic infections and many more.
changing the force constant of its functional groups. The
TGA analysis revealed that the total weight loss was Abbreviations
decreased by 0.65% in the treated sample as compared to the
control sample. The DSC analysis indicated that the onset, DSC: Differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR: Fourier
peak, and endset vaporization temperature of the treated transform infrared spectroscopy, HOMO: Highest energy
sample were significantly increased by 41.97%, 23.51%, and occupied molecular orbital, LUMO: Lowest energy
8.82%, respectively as compared to the control sample. The unoccupied molecular orbital, TGA: Thermal gravimetric
latent heat of vaporization (H) of the treated (239.96 J/g) analysis, Tpeak = Peak vaporization temperature, H: Latent
sample was significantly increased by 39.84% compared with heat of vaporization, UV-vis: Ultraviolet-visible
the control (171.60 J/g) sample. The DSC/TGA analysis spectroscopy, PSD: Particle size distribution; PXRD: Powder
indicated that the treated sample thermally more stable as X-ray diffraction.
American Journal of Applied Chemistry 2017; 5(2): 28-37 36
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