Study on physical properties of Ayurvedic nanocrystalline Tamra Bhasma by employing modern scientific tools

Background: Tamra Bhasma is derived from metallic copper that is recommended for different ailments of liver and spleen, dropsy, abdominal pain, heart disease, colitis, tumors, anemia, loss of appetite, tuberculosis, as well as eye problems.

Objectives: The knowledge of crystallite size and active ingredients in Bhasma materials is limited restricting its use as nanomedicine in the modern era. Also, the 2015 Nobel prize in medicine has motivated many researchers towards traditional medicines. Therefore, the different chemical and physical properties of prepared Tamra Bhasma has been studied by modern experimental tools (XRD, VSM, SEM, FTIR and PL spectrometer) and the preliminary testing of Tamra Bhasma nanoparticles was examined on bacteria.

Materials and methods: Bhasma is prepared by metals and minerals using three step procedures e.g. Shodhana, Bhavana and Marana. In the present work, for the preparation of Tamra Bhasma, pulverized copper wire was used and prepared by the principle of Puta (incineration) in an Electrical Muffle Furnace (EMF).

Results: X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy results revealed that the crystallite size of Bhasma powder was less than 100 nm and nanocrystallites of aglomerated size in micrometer. Magnetometer measurement supports its medicinal value. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of nanocrystalline Bhasma powder was investigated in UV-NIR region and shows luminescence in visible region. The antimicrobial study of Tamra Bhasma shows effectiveness on bacteria and, may be useful to control the bacterial infection disease.

Conclusion: Scientific data obtained using modern scientific tools and evidence would support in utilizing the ancient Indian wisdom of Ayurveda for the development of newer drugs as a modern nanomedicine and in other possible technological applications.