Research Article
www.ijrap.net
*Corresponding author
I.G. Shibi, Associate Professor, PG Department of Chemistry, Sree Narayana College, Chempazhanthy, Thiruvananthapuram, 695587, Kerala, India
Email: shibiig@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The present study is aimed at the characterization of the physico-chemical traits of the traditional Indian Siddha medicine, Arumuga Chendooram.
The surface area, pHzpc and density of the chendooram sample were analyzed. The ICP-OES analysis revealed that the main metals present in
Arumuga Chendooram are iron (20.9%), tin (8.5%) and mercury (3.1%). FT-IR spectroscopy has been used to study the presence of organic
substances, if any, in the sample. Powder XRD technique was used to identify the crystalline phases, chemical nature and crystalline dimensions of
the sample. The average crystalline size calculated using Debye-Scherrer equation corresponding to different diffraction planes is 37.277 nm.
Measurements by DLS technique and SEM analyses were also carried out. The study highlights the appropriate application of modern scientific
methods for developing new insights into metal based siddha drugs.
Key words: Siddha, Physico-chemical analysis, Arumuga Chendooram
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2). This was then made into small cakes and dried. It was equal to pHpzc and then attractive particle interactions
then sealed in discs and burnt for 24 hours. If the colour predominate which may influence the drug delivery.
of the chendooram does not appear as dark purple the
grinding and burning are usually repeated.
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I.G. Shibi et al / IJRAP 3(3), May Jun 2012
that iron, mercury and tin which are the prominent metals
present, constitute 20.9, 8.5 and 3.1% respectively. The The finding is significant in the light of several studies
presence of arsenic (0.35%) is important since it is appearing in the literature regarding the heavy metal
regarded as toxic with high health risk. The fact is that contents of herbal medicines. The biological or
arsenicals have a long and remarkable history of utility in therapeutic role of these metals is to be understood
pharmacology. Inorganic arsenic is now accepted in scientifically in order to establish the efficacy of these
western medicine as a first line chemotherapeutic agent medicines. The herbo-metallic preparations used in the
against certain hematopoietic cancers as well10. Mercury traditional system of medicine which contain heavy
compounds have been widely used as therapeutic agents metals as therapeutic agents after proper de-toxification
in Ayurveda and Siddha medicines from time process have no significant adverse drug reactions so far
immemorial. reported. Even though the total mass percentage of these
metals constitutes 33.625 %, only very minute quantities
Table 1: Metallic composition of Arumuga chendooram from ICP- of it are administered as a medicine and that too for
OES analysis
Metal Amount (%) minimum number of days, together with vehicles like
Mn 0.19 honey.
Ni 0.02 Elemental analysis
Mg 0.09 The carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur (CHNS)
Co 0.007 analysis revealed that the sample of Arumuga
Zn 0.028 chendooram has no nitrogen present in it. It is also
Cu 0.03 observed that the carbon, hydrogen and sulphur present in
Fe 20.9
the sample are 1.28, 0.32 and 10.20 % respectively. It is
Ca 0.37
Sn 8.5 expected that the juice of Aloe serves as a medium for the
As 0.35 reaction for the formation of the chendooram initially and
Hg 3.1 will be burnt out during the repeated incineration process,
Pb 0.04 resulting in the low % of carbon.
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I.G. Shibi et al / IJRAP 3(3), May Jun 2012
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I.G. Shibi et al / IJRAP 3(3), May Jun 2012
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I.G. Shibi et al / IJRAP 3(3), May Jun 2012
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors IGS and SG gratefully acknowledge the
University Grants Commission, New Delhi for awarding a
Major Research Project and also express their sincere
gratitude to Santhigiri Ayurveda and Siddha Vaidyasala,
Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram for their continuous
support.
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Source of support: University Grants Commission, New Delhi, Conflict of interest: None Declared
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