Abstract

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL STUDY OF ARSENIC TRIOXIDE (SOMAL) BEFORE AND AFTER DETOXIFICATION ( SHODHAN)

*Gharde Subhash. R., Suryawanshi S.S.

ABSTRACT

Somal (Arsenic trioxide) is a poison under Sthavar visha, Dhatu visha in Ayurveda, but it use in Ayurvedic medicine as a therapeutic agent, after subjecting it to various process of detoxification. It simply processed by Bitter guard with the help of Dolayantra and getting its forms is widely used by Ayurvedic physicians. However the preliminary physic-chemical studies of the Somal (before and after purification) have not been studied scientifically for their toxic potential with the reference to its Arsenic content. Therefore, a study was designed to evaluate Somal before and after purification processes. Preliminary physico-chemical studies i.e nature, colour, PH value, loss on drying, acid insoluble ash, reactions with acid and alkalis and Arsenic assay were determined and observed. The study revealed it’s less toxic after detoxification.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Somal, Arsenic trioxide, detoxification, physic-chemical study, Arsenic content.