AUTHOR=Charde Vaibhav , Kumar Vijay , Dane Ganesh , Gandhi Yashika , Soni Hemant , Jagtap Chandrashekar , Mishra Sujeet K. , Shakya Santosh K. , Singh Arjun , Singh Ravindra , Sharma Bhagwan S. , Khanduri Shruti , Srikanth Narayanam , Acharya Rabinarayan , Webster Thomas J. 

TITLE=Establishment of the mechanism of purification and levigation of green chemistry-assisted biocomposites of red ochre (Gairika): synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial, prebiotic, antioxidant, and antacid activities of the traditional Ayurvedic medicine Laghu Sutashekhara Rasa

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2023.1271157

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2023.1271157

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=Gairika (red ochre) has a long historical aspect influencing human civilization. Gairika is a rich source of nutrients having medicinal applications for reproductive and brain health. Gairika is mentioned as an antacid drug under Indian Ayurvedic medicine under Laghu Sutashekhara Rasa (LSR). However, a detailed study on LSR has not been reported to date. In the present study, LSR was prepared and a pharmaceutical SOP (standardization procedure) was reported to obtain batchto-batch reproducibility. LSR was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX and TGA analysis. LSR was tested in vitro for antacid activity. Advanced instrumentation revealed that the LSR formation possessed symmetrical particles (5 to 8 µm) with kaolin, kaolinite, quartz, goethite and haematite along with phytoconstituents of Goghrita (Clarified Cow's Butter), Shunthi and Nagawalli as confirmed by GC-MS/MS analysis. The FTIR study revealed the formation of a cheating complex of goethite and haematite along with phytoconstituents. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of kaolin, kaolinite, quartz, goethite and haematite. Using in vitro antacid experiments, LSR as well as Shunthi demonstrated significant antacid activity as compared to market antacid drugs and standards such as CaCO3. The DPPH assay revealed IC50 values of 12.16±1.23mg/mL which is 0.0029 of Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC). The inhibition (18±4mm) against pathogens (S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and B. subtilis), as well as prominent growth of gut micro supported strains (S. boulardii, L. paracasei, and L. plantarum) observed on LSR formulation has indicated as applications of LSR as prebiotic. Mechanism of purification and levigation mentioned in classical literature of LSR was established. Overall, purification of garika with Cow ghee, and levigation with Nagawalli may able to enhance the solubility, bioavailability and shelf-life of LSR through hydration and co-crystallization mechanism. This is the first comprehensive report on the pharmaceutical validation of LSR and its characterization. Results of the present study could contribute to the development and reliable reproduction of LSR and utility of the environmental red ochre as medicine in combination with Shunthi (Zingiber officinale Roxb.) as prescribed under Indian Ayurvedic medicine.