Browsing by Author "Gunaratna, T.A.N.R."
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Item Beneficial functions of plant materials used in shodhana process of mercury in Ayurveda Rasashastra(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2020) Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; De Silva, W.R.M.; Prajapati, P.K.; De Silva, K.M.N.Shodhana process in rasashastra is a mandatory process for each material prior to use in herbomineral pharmaceutical preparations. Although different types of mercury (Hg) shodhana”processes are described in rasashastra, in Sri Lanka, Ayurveda herbo-mineral manufacturers use a three-step method with Allium sativum extract, Piper betel extract and the decoction using Terminalia chebula, T. bellerica and Phyllanthus emblica. Although this method is well-known within the Ayurveda community, there are no research evidences available to identify the support and the functions given by the plant materials in the mercury shodhana process. Therefore, this research was carried out to analyse the elemental changes that would occur to commercially available mercury during the shodhana process. Shodhana process was carried out as mentioned in the Rasa Jala Nidhi textbook (volume I) of rasashastra literature under the mercury section (eighth process). As the shodhana process involves three steps, there were four samples to be analysed namely, crude mercury, first step completed Hg, second step completed Hg and final step completed Hg. Samples were microwave digested using HNO3: HCl in 3:1 ratio and diluted prior to the Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICPMS) analysis. These four Hg samples were then, subjected to ICPMS analysis. Standard 2A was performed to check Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Tl, U, V, Zn elements and standard 2A Hg was performed to check Hg element. Cu, As and V were measured in He gas mode and rest were measured in no gas mode. The analysis was carried out in triplicate. Origin and R software were used for the comparison. According to the results obtained, Mg, Al, Fe, Co, Zn, Cd, Ba and Pb were present in the crude mercury as noticeable elements, but the element levels were changed with each shodhana step. Most importantly, it clearly shows the reduction of Pb level from 2347.25 ± 0.01 ppb to 173.20 ± 0.02 ppb. Furthermore, trace elements such as Li, Ni, Ga and U were completely removed from mercury after the completion of shodhana process. The reason for the reduction of metal ions can be attributed to metal iron chelation, detoxification procedures with plant bioactive compounds such as organic sulphides, polyphenols and flavonoids. Therefore, these results reflect the benefit of shodhana process and clearly explains the use of plant extracts as a removal agent of unwanted metal ions, which are trapped in Hg.Item A comparative analysis of Hinguashtaka Churna in marketed samples(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2013) Samarathunga, D.K.; Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; Weerasooriya, W.M.B.; Liyanage, J.A.Item Determination of Ash content in Varatika and Abhraka used in Ayurveda Rasa pharmaceuticals(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2011) Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; Maduwanthi, J.A.H.; Weerasooriya, W.M.B.; Liyanage, J.A.Varatika is the shell of Cyprea moneta (shell of cowry) and chemically it is identified as a carbonate of calcium (CaCO3). This is used in Rasa Shatra as a key ingredient. Among Abhraka varieties Krishna vajra abhraka (Biotite Mica) is the finest variety used for therapeutic purposes. Mineral compounds that are prepared through Shodhana (purification), Bhavana (trituration) and Marana (incineration) are considered pharmaceutically as the most suitable forms as they are superior, non-toxic and highly potent for therapeutic point of view. Owing to the superiority of mineral drugs in the place of herbal drugs it has been described that the supremacy might be due to their fast action in smaller dose with good palatability. Hence determination of the total ash content and the acid soluble ash content of Varatika and Abhraka bhashma are important, as it could be helpful to understand the effectiveness of those Ayurveda medicines in the human body. Purification of Varatika and Krishna vajra abhraka (six samples each) and preparation of Dhanyabhraka and Dhanyabhraka chakrika were carried out using traditional methods described in authentic Ayurveda texts. Samples were ashed using Muffel furnace and total ash content and acid soluble ash content were determined. Ash content of unpurified and purified Varatika was 55.64% and 57%, respectively. When compared with the traditionally incinerated sample it is lower (8.50%) than the sample incinerated in a Muffle furnace (14%). These results revealed the importance of improving traditional methods using modern techniques for the manufacture of quality Ayurvedic medicines and this result could be useful to interpret the therapeutic effect of Varatika Bhashma used in hyper acidity. The ash content of unpurified Abhraka was 0.94g (±0.00) in 1g of sample and it was 0.95g (±0.01) in 1g of purified sample. Acid soluble ash content has increased during the purification from 5% to 7.8%. Total ash content and acid soluble ash content of Dhanyabhraka was 0.92g (±0.01) and 10% respectively, and 0.66g (±0.01) ash amount was determined in Abhraka chakrika. Acid soluble ash content in Abhraka chakrika was 5.8%. These results highlight the significance of purification process in Ayurveda pharmaceutical preparation.Item Evaluation of ion concentration in selected aurvedic preparations used for iron deficiency anemia(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2012) Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; Maduwanthi, J.A.H.; Weerasooriya, W.M.B.; Liyanage, J.A.Item Medicinal values of plants that are habitat to coastal area of Sri Lanka: a literary study(Culture, Globalization and the Developing World, 2nd ICSS, 2013) Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; Samarathunga, D.K.; Liyanage, J.A.Herbs cover the complete range of growth habits and sizes of plants, and they can be annuals, biennials, perennials, trees, shrubs, climbers, creeping vines and grasses. Sri Lanka has a rich ecosystem diversity because of its topographic and climatic heterogeneity as well as its coastal influence. As a tropical country there are several plants available in Sri Lanka coast that are habitat in large scale. Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea are the plants and creeping vines which are available in large range. They are rich in pharmacodynamics, mentioned in Ayurveda authentic books and as well as in the details of Sri Lankan oral tradition. Problems with drug-resistant microorganisms, side-effects of modern drugs, and emerging diseases where no medicines are available, have stimulated renewed interest in plants as a significant source of new medicines. This literary study was conducted to identify the medicinal values Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea which are habitat to the coastal part of Sri Lanka for conservation, sustainable development of natural medicines and share the benefits of their medicinal value. This study was based on the Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional authentic books and findings related to the plants were considered and analyzed. According to the results obtained, whole plant?s parts such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots and fruits have medicinal values and they are used for medicines. Every plant has pharmacodynamic actions which are related to Nerve system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, blood circulatory system, urinary system, reproductive system and immune system. The results emphasize the medicinal utility of Cocos nucifera, Borassus flabellifer, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea and it is essential to bring it up to the Sri Lankan society for the enhancement of natural medicine through the natural resources.Item Medicinal values of plants that are habitat to coastal areas of Sri Lanka: A literary study(Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2015) Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; Samarathunga, D.K.; Liyanage, J.A.Herbs cover the complete range of growth habits and sizes of plants. As a tropical country there are several plants available in Sri Lanka’s coastal areas that are habitat in large scale. Borassus flabellifer, Cocos nucifera, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea are the plants and creeping vines which are available in large range. They are rich in pharmacodynamics, mentioned in Ayurveda authentic books and as well as in the details of Sri Lankan oral tradition. But none of that information is famous among Sri Lankans. This literary study was conducted to identify the medicinal values Borassus flabellifer, Cocos nucifera, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea which are habitat to the coastal part of Sri Lanka for conservation, sustainable development of natural medicines and share the benefits of their medicinal value. Study was based on the Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional authentic books and findings related to the plants were considered and analyzed. According to the results obtained, pacts of whole plant’s parts such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots and fruits have medicinal values and they are used for medicines. Every plant has pharmacodynamic actions which are related to Nerve system, Gastro intestinal system, Respiratory system, Blood circulatory system, Urinary system, Reproductive system and Immune system. Results emphasize the medicinal utility of Borassus flabellifer, Cocos nucifera, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Pandanus tectorius and Calotropis gigantea and it is essential to bring it up to the Sri Lankan society for the enhancement of natural medicine through the natural resources.Item A review on Pariḅāṣā Prakaraṇa with special reference to Rasaśāstra textbooks(Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; Pathiraja, K.A.S.T.K.Pariḅāṣā or terminologies are the structured set of concepts and their designations in specific subject fields. The words, cryptic and ambiguous, can be better understood with the support of Pariḅāṣā. Rasavāgḅata in 13th century advocated to read and understand the Pariḅāṣā rendered by Acarya Somadeva to avoid errors while carrying out mercurial preparations. Although it enlightens the meaning of words, it is difficult to find all the terms used in Rasaśāstra in an individual book. Therefore, this review was carried out to identify the technical terms mentioned in Pariḅāṣā Prakaraṇa of Rasaśāstra textbooks and chronological evolution of terms since ancient era. Rasaśāstra textbooks available in library, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute were taken for the study and the books without Pariḅāṣā Prakaraṇa were excluded. According to the results, there were twelve books which included Pariḅāṣā Prakaraṇa and they were related to Sangraha and Āḍunika Kāla of Rasaśāstra. A total of 172 terms are mentioned in those books. Percentage of 44 common words were above 50% and 25%-49% in 60 common words. Those terms can be categorized under actions, procedures, qualities and materials. Some books have used synonyms for several terms. Hence, it can be concluded that Rasaśāstra authors related to Āḍunika Kāla adopted Pariḅāṣā from the books related to Rasaśāstra Sangraha Kāla and most of the Pariḅāṣā terms are a combination of 4th and 9th chapters of Acarya Somadeva's Rasendrachudāmanī.Item A review on the usage of Hepatoprotective drugs used in folk medicine of Sri Lanka(Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, 2014) Perera, K.P.D.C.; Rasingolla, S.K.; Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.Item A study on possible Nano-particles found in Sri Lankan indigenous medical texts(Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, 2014) Gunaratna, T.A.N.R.; Pallie, M.S.; Perera, K.P.D.C.; Dahanayake, J.M.