Pharmaceutico-analytical Study on Nisha Manasila Taila

Abstract

Nisha Manasila Taila is a unique formulation described in Chakradatta Kushta-Chikitsaadhyaya. It is a herbo-mineral preparation containing Manasila (realgar), with Kandu (itching) and Pama (scabies) as its primary indication. Itching is the most common symptom seen in the majority of microbial infections of the skin. In Ayurveda, skin diseases fall under the broad category of Kushta (skin disorders). The preparation of Nisha Manasila Taila follows the Samanya Tailapakavidhi (general method of preparation of oil-based formulations). This process involves combining three main components in specific ratios: Kalkadravya (paste of drugs-1 part), Snehadravya (lipid media-4 parts), and Dravadravya (liquid media-16 parts). The ratio may vary depending on the specific Kalka and Dravadravya used. Nisha Manasila Taila contains Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Shodhita Manasila (purified realgar) as Kalka (paste), Arkapatrarasa (juice of Calotropis gigantea) as Dravadravya (liquid media) and Sarshapatail a (mustard oil) as Snehadravya (lipid media) in specific proportions. This study aims to highlight the physico-chemical changes that occur in Nisha Manasila Taila during the Tailapaka (oil preparation) process, using analytical parameters. In the pharmaceutical part of the study, the purification of Manasila (realgar) was performed, followed by the preparation of three samples using the general method of preparation of oil-based formulations. In the analytical part, three samples of Taila were analyzed using physicochemical parameters and chromatographic methods. The physicochemical parameters of the prepared samples fell within the normal range and are compared with the values of Sarshapataila (Mustard oil) used in sample preparation. Significant differences were observed in the organoleptic and physicochemical parameters between Sarshapataila (mustard oil) and the prepared sample, resulting from the pharmaceutical procedure carried out.