PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE VIPAKA OF CERTAIN SAMANA & VICITRA PRATYAYARABDHA DRUGS IN ALBINO RATS

Abstract

According to Ayurveda, all the drugs show three types of Vipaka (post digestive effect) after the digestion, which directly depend on their Rasas (tastes). Relation of Rasas (tastes) of substances with their Vipaka (post digestive effect) is given based on the concept of Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata. The present animal experiment deals with the concept of Vipaka (post digestive effect), and its effect as a part of applied aspect of concept of Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata on Koshtha related parameters. Nimba Patra and Bhumyamalaki which are having Samana and Pratyayarabdha properties respectively are selected for evaluation of Koshtha related parameters in albino rats. Wistar strain albino rats of either sex were divided in to three groups and test drugs were administered in the dose of 540 mg/kg. Parameters like body weight, food consumption, water intake, fresh and dry faecal output and food conversion ratio were assessed. Data generated was statistically determined by Student's t test for paired and unpaired data. Administration of Nimba showed baddhavitkata (difficulty in excretion) by decreasing water intake, faecal output, faecal water content and number of faecal pellets, while opposite observations are made in Vicitra Pratyayarabdha drug Bhumyamalaki administered group which are per their Vipakas (post digestive effects). Thus this study provides unequivocal scientific basis to the concept of Arabdata of Ayurveda. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Headnote

ABSTRACT

According to Ayurveda, all the drugs show three types of Vipaka (post digestive effect) after the digestion, which directly depend on their Rasas (tastes). Relation of Rasas (tastes) of substances with their Vipaka (post digestive effect) is given based on the concept of Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata. The present animal experiment deals with the concept of Vipaka (post digestive effect), and its effect as a part of applied aspect of concept of Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata on Koshtha related parameters. Nimba Patra and Bhumyamalaki which are having Samana and Pratyayarabdha properties respectively are selected for evaluation of Koshtha related parameters in albino rats. Wistar strain albino rats of either sex were divided in to three groups and test drugs were administered in the dose of 540 mg/kg. Parameters like body weight, food consumption, water intake, fresh and dry faecal output and food conversion ratio were assessed. Data generated was statistically determined by Student's t test for paired and unpaired data. Administration of Nimba showed baddhavitkata (difficulty in excretion) by decreasing water intake, faecal output, faecal water content and number of faecal pellets, while opposite observations are made in Vicitra Pratyayarabdha drug Bhumyamalaki administered group which are per their Vipakas (post digestive effects). Thus this study provides unequivocal scientific basis to the concept of Arabdata of Ayurveda.

KEY WORDS: Arabdhata, Samana Pratyayarabdha, Vicitra Pratyayarabdha, Koshtha, Nimba Patra, Bhumyamalaki.

INTRODUCTION:

Ayurveda Samhitas presented several Ayurvedic concepts in concise form; hence they are difficult to understand. Therefore it is essential to explore and evaluate these concepts for their practical applicability by clinical and animal experimentations. It is easy to go through animal experiment before performing clinical trials because one can control a lot of conditions in animal experiment, which are not possible with clinical study.

According to Ayurveda, all the drugs shows three types of Vipaka (post digestive effect) after the digestion, which directly depend on their Rasas (taste) (Acharya Yadavaji T, 2009a). Relation of Rasas (taste) of substances with their Vipaka (post digestive effect) is given based on the concept of Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata (Paradakara Hari S S, 2010a). Arabdhata means the origin of any substance by its unique conjugation and configuration of Panchamahabhutas (pentaelements) (Bhattacharya Shri Taranatha T, 2002), which determines all the properties of substances. Changes in the Arabdhata during digestion and metabolism are known as Pratyayarabdhata (Paradakara Hari S S, 2010a), which happens due to change in conjugation and configuration of Mahabhutas (penta-elements) during digestion and metabolism. When any substance is ingested, it is digested and metabolized by the action of different Agni (digestive power) i.e. Jatharagni, Bhutagni and Dhatwagni. During this whole process it decomposes and resynthesizes several times in form of breakdown and reformation of bonds between Panchamahabhutas (penta-elements) (Dhyani S.C., 2008). So, the Panchabhautika (pentaelementeric) composition of substance changes again and again, resulting in manifestation of Vipaka (post digestive effect), Veerya (potency), Prabhava (cause for specific action) etc. at different levels of Agni (digestive power). On the basis of results of these breakdown and re-synthesis processes, all the substances can be categorized in two categories. The substances whose Panchabhautika (penta- elementeric) composition after re-synthesis remains same as that of substance in each instance, the substance is known as Samana Pratyayarabdha. In such type of substances the Vipaka (post digestive effect), Veerya (potency), Karma (action) of substance found in conformity with Rasa (taste), so determination of all the properties and action of substance is possible only by knowing its Rasa (taste) (Paradakara Hari S S 2010b). While the substances whose Panchabhautika (pentaelementeric) composition changes at either level of digestion once or more time and becomes different from the original substance, are known as Vicitra Pratyayarabdha. In such type of substances Vipaka (post digestive effect), Veerya (potency) and Karma (action) etc. of substances are not found in conformity with Rasa (taste), so determination of all the properties of substance is not possible only by knowing its Rasa (taste) and it becomes mandatory to know about every property of substance before using it (Acharya Yadavaji T, 2009b). Hence substances having same Rasa (taste) may also show different properties and action depending on their Vipaka (post digestive effect), Veerya (potency) etc.

The present animal experiment deals with the concept of Vipaka (post digestive effect) and its effect as a part of applied aspect of concept of Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata. This will help to find out differences between Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdha substances at the level of Vipaka (post digestive effect). It is well known that Vipaka (post digestive effect) shows its effect on Dosha (body humours), Dhatu (tissues) and Malas (excretory products) (Acharya Yadavaji T, 2009c) & it is easy to assess the effect of Vipaka (post digestive effect) on Malas (excretory products), hence the present animal experimental model was designed to ascertain the effect of selected Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdha drugs on Koshtha related parameters in albino rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Test drugs:

The authenticated raw drugs namely Nimba Patra (Leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss) and Panchanga of Bhumyamalaki (Whole plants of Phyllanthus fraternus Linn) were collected from the pharmacy of Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar. Both the drugs were shade dried and powdered, tablets of both drugs were prepared by adding 3% Gum acacia as per standard procedure. Among these drugs, Nimba Patra is having Samana Pratyayarabdha properties (i.e. Tikta rasa, Shita virya & Katu vipaka) and Bhumyamalaki is having Vicitra Pratyayarabdha properties (i.e. Tikta rasa, Shita virya & Madhura vipaka). The difference in the properties of drugs is mainly at the level of vipaka (post digestive effect).

Animals:

Eighteen healthy, young (6-7 weeks old), nulliparous, non-pregnant Wistar strain albino rats of either sex weighing between 170 ± 20 g were selected from animal house attached to the Pharmacology Laboratory, I.P.G.T. & R.A., G.A.U., Jamnagar. Animals were maintained on Amrut brand pellets obtained from Pranava Agro Ltd. and drinking water and exposed to ambient temperature, humidity and natural day and night cycles in individual metabolic cages. The experimental protocol was submitted to the animal ethics committee of the institute, and approval was obtained for conducting the experiment (Approval number - IAEC/9/11/19).

Dose fixation and schedule:

Dose of drugs (Powders prepared by crushing tablets) was fixed by extrapolating the human dose to rats based on body surface area ratio by referring to the table of Paget's and Barnes (1964) (Laurence D.R. and Bacharach A.L 1964). On this basis, the rat dose was found to be 540 mg/kg. Drugs were suspended in deionized water at suitable concentration to prepare stock solution, freshly just prior to administration and administered orally in the dose of (1 ml/100 g) at morning hour (9- 10 AM).

Experimental protocol:

The study was carried out based on previous study which was designed by Dixit U D et al., (1995) to assess the effect of test drug on status of Agni (digestive power) (Dixit U.D. et al., 1995). The selected animals were divided in to three groups of six animals consists of three males and three females. The study was carried out in two phases, namely preliminary study and therapeutic study. Preliminary study of three days was carried out prior to the therapeutic study to understand and obtain base line data about the normal quantity of the parameters like body weight, food consumption, water intake, fresh and dry faecal output and food conversion ratio. In this particular phase, drug was not administered. Initial weight of each rat was recorded and they were placed in separate metabolic cages. All the parameters mentioned above were measured and recorded on routine basis.

Statistical analysis:

Data have been presented as Mean ± SEM. Difference in the groups was statistically determined by student's t for both paired and unpaired data. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS:

A uniform and normal progressive increase in body weight was occurred in control group. The similar type of weight gain was observed in Bhumyamalaki group, while in Nimba group comparatively less gain in body weight was observed in comparison to control group. However the changes were statistically nonsignificant (Table - 1).

A marginal decrease in food consumption was observed in control group when the values of experimental phase were compared with values of preliminary phase. Administration of Nimba did not affect the food intake, while the Vicitra Pratyayarabdha drug Bhumyamalaki leads to 13.06% increase in food intake. However all the observations were found to be statistically non-significant. When the values were compared with control group, Bhumyamalaki administered group shows apparent increase in food consumption, while Nimba shows marginal decrease in food consumption (Table - 2).

Water intake was marginally increased in control group when the values of experimental phase were compared with values of preliminary phase. Samana Pratyayarabdha drug Nimba shows 21.27% decrease in water intake in comparison to initial values. Vicitra Pratyayarabdha drug Bhumyamalaki shows 38.57% increase in water intake in comparison to initial values; however both the observations were found to be statistically non-significant. When the values were compared with control group, Nimba decreased water intake non significantly and Bhumyamalaki increased water intake non-significantly (Table - 3).

Fresh faecal output in all the three groups including control group was increased when the values of experimental phase were compared with preliminary phase. Nimba treated group shows 1.77% increase in fresh faecal output, while Bhumyamalaki administered group shows 46.24% increase in fresh faecal output. When the values were compared with control group, Nimba administered group marginally decreased faecal output while Bhumyamalaki group increased it apparently (Table - 4).

In weight of dried faecal output all the groups shows increase when the values of experimental phase were compared with preliminary phase and the observed increase is almost similar to that of observation made in fresh faecal output (Table - 5).

In control group 53.33% water content in faecal matter was observed. Nimba administered group showed only 25% water content, which is much lower than that of control group. In contrast, Bhumyamalaki treated group shows more faecal water content (Table - 6).

Regarding number of faecal pellets, when the values were compared with control group, Nimba of Samana Pratyayarabdha group shows decrease in number of faecal pellet, while Bhumyamalaki of Vicitra Pratyayarabdha treated group shows increase in number of faecal pellets (Table - 7)

In food conversion ratio, control group itself shows 13.46% decrease when the experimental phase value was compared with preliminary phase values. The similar type of decrease was also found in the Nimba and Bhumyamalaki administered groups (Table - 8).

DISCUSSION:

The present animal study was designed to assess the effect of drugs according to their Vipakas (post digestive effect) on Koshtha related parameters. According to Ayurvedic concepts, Madhura Vipaka (sweet post digestive effect) causes Srishta Vinmutrata (easy excretion) i.e. increase in quantity and frequency of urine and stool, elevates Kapha dosha and increases Shukra dhatu, while Katu Vipaka (pungent post digestive effect) causes Baddha vinmutrata (difficulty in excretion) i.e. decrease in quantity and frequency of stool and urine, elevates Vata dosha and decreases Shukra dhatu (Acharya Yadavaji T , 2009d). Thus Bhumyamalaki, having Madhura Vipaka (sweet post digestive effect) should cause increase in stool and urine output and Nimba, having Katu Vipaka (pungent post digestive effect) should cause decrease in stool and urine output. As the stool and urine output are directly related to food consumption and water intake, parameters related to metabolic activity like weight change, food consumption, water intake and faecal output were also measured in the present study.

Vipaka is not the only factor, which affects the metabolism, food consumption, faecal output etc. Ayurvedic pharmacodynamic properties like Rasa (taste), Guna (properties), Veerya (potency) and Prabhava (cause for specific action), also can affect these parameters.

Both the drugs are having Tikta pradhana Rasa (bitter taste) and Sheeta Veerya (cold in potency). Nimba having laghu- snigdha guna (light and unctuous) and Bhumyamalaki having laghu- ruksha guna (light and dry property). Tikta rasa (bitter taste) have Deepana, Pachana, Lekhana, Mootra- Purisha Shoshana, Ruksha (dry), Laghu (light) and Sheeta (cold) properties. Sheeta Veerya (cold potency) has Stambhana property. In the present study dissimilarity between Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdha drugs was mainly at the level of Vipaka (post digestive effect). So it was supposed that drugs should show difference in action at the level of Vipaka (post digestive effect) only. Nimba is having Katu Vipaka (pungent post digestive effect), so supposed to decrease the faecal and urine output, food intake etc. Bhumyamalaki is having Madhura Vipaka (sweet post digestive effect), so supposed to cause increase in these parameters.

Normal progressive increase in body weight was occurred in control group. In Nimba administered group, only 3 to 4 % increase in body weight was seen and the observed increase is comparatively less than that of control group. The observed change may be attributed to tikta rasa (bitter taste) of Nimba, which have Deepana -pachana properties (Acharya Yadavaji T , 2009e). In contrast to this an apparent increase in body weight was observed in Bhumyamalaki administered group, the observed change may be attributed to Deepana and Rasayana properties of Bhumyamalaki (Mishra Shri Brahmashankara et al., 2010). Further, Bhumyamalaki is well established hepatoprotective drug and by virtue of these properties it may have enhanced activities of digestive enzymes. This may be also one of the reasons in observed weight gain in this group.

Food consumption was increased in both treated groups, while in control group it was decreased, which shows that both drugs exhibit some of Deepana Karma. Food consumption is depends on Abhyavaharana Shakti (food intake capacity) and status of Agni (digestive power), so it can be said that all drugs helped in improve the status of Agni (digestive power), but the effect was not sufficient to reach up to significant level. Bhumyamalaki treated group shows better result because it has Ruksha Guna (dry property), which can improve Agni (digestive power) by decreasing Dravata (liquidity) of Pitta (Paradakara Hari S S, 2010b).

The observed result in terms of water intake is according to Arabdhata as expected. Bhumyamalaki administered group showed increase in water intake when compared to other groups, it may be due to Ruksha Guna (dry property), as Rukshata (dryness) and Ushnata (hotness) are the two Gunas (property) which causes thirst due to Drava Shoshana property (Acharya Yadavaji T , 2009f), hence this may be the reason in observed increase of water intake. In contrast Nimba showed decrease in water intake the reason may be Snigdha Guna (unctuous property) of this drug. The results of faecal output also substantiated the hypothesis of Arabtada.

Dried faecal output depends on water content of stool, which evaporates during drying in oven. The dried faecal output was also found to be increased in all groups when data of experimental phase was compared to preliminary phase. In other words, the normal water content of faecal matter is about 53.33% as revealed in control group. In contrast, Nimba administered group showed only 25% water content, which is much lower than that of control group, while Bhumyamalaki treated group shows more faecal water content. The observed decrease in water content of Nimba administered group indicates that Nimba act according to its katu Vipaka (pungent post digestive effect) and shows baddha Vitkata (difficulty in excretion). Bhumyamalaki group, which showed increase in faecal water content, which is virtue of its Madhura Vipaka (sweet post digestive effect), it indicates that Bhumyamalaki causes Srishta Vitkata (easy excretion). These observations further corroborated by effect of test drugs on number of faecal pellets.

Food conversion ratio is related to the Pachana property of drug. The percentage changes in all groups were very minute when compared to the initial values. It shows that drugs did not show any significant impact on Pachana. The reason involved may be short duration of drug administration adopted in this study.

Though we expect hypothetically that Vipaka would cause the effect accordingly i.e. Srishta Vinmutrata (easy excretion) or Baddha Vinmutrata (difficulty in excretion), however always drug may not show desired effect as expected as the action of the drug depends on physiology and pathology of the individual and also on several factors like dose, potency of drug, Desha (place), Kala (time), proper digestion and metabolism etc. Acarya Nagarjuna states that, the Vipaka (post digestive effect) also changes according to the Dravya (substance), dose, Samskara (processing), Satmya (habits), Agni Bala (digestive power), Desha (place), Kala (time) and Samyoga (combination) (Narasimha, Sankara Menon, 1928). It is the peculiarity of Ayurvedic drugs that they act in pathological condition, but not show the same effect in normal physiological condition. For example, Sudarshana lowers the temperature in condition of fever, but if given in normal condition it doesn't causes lowering of temperature. It is also very true with allopathic drugs also. Thus there is uncertainty in action of drug which depends on several conditions.

Effect of Vipaka (post digestive effect), Veerya (potency) etc. will depend on the conversion of drug during digestion and metabolism at various levels. If at the level of Vipaka (post digestive effect) breakdown and re-synthesis doesn't happen (Arabdhata remain unchanged), then drug will not show the effect at the level of Koshtha. It may act at the level of Dhatu (tissues) by the effect of Veerya (potency). If at the level of Veerya (potency) also, conversion will not take place then drug will act by the Prabhava (cause for specific action) or Rasa (taste) and Guna (property). Because action of Rasa (taste) and Guna (property) is sure and not depends on resynthesis or conversion during digestion. Because of this uncertainty of Karma (action) at various levels it is said that, some substances act in accordance with their rasa (taste), others in accordance with their Vipaka (post digestive effect), and yet others in accordance with their Guna (property) or Veerya (potency) or Prabhava (cause for specific action) (Paradakara Hari S S, 2010c).

CONCLUSION:

In the chosen dose and duration of pharmacological study selected Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdha drugs showed apparent impact on Koshtha related parameters as per their Vipakas (post digestive effects) although the observed results are non-significant. Thus this study provides unequivocal basis to concept of Arabdata of Ayurveda. However the same set of drugs may be tried in higher doses as well as in longer duration to draw meaningful conclusion on related parameters and also cross study may be designed in which Madhura Vipaka (sweet post digestive effect) drugs would administered in condition of Baddhavitkata (difficulty in excretion) and Katu Vipaka (pungent post digestive effect) drugs would administered in condition of Srishtavitkata (easy excretion).

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To Cite this article:

Jadoun Anuruchi, Solanki S K, Ashok B K, Dwivedi R R (2012), PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE VIPAKA OF CERTAIN SAMANA & VICITRA PRATYAYARABDHA DRUGS IN ALBINO RATS , Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 1(11), 620-628

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