An inquisitive search for Bhasma (A herbo-mineral Ayurveda medicine) as a drug delivery vehicle candidate.

Abstract

Abstract Nano-formulations of Gold (Au) are proven drug delivery vehicles. Ayurveda i.e. Indian traditional medicine system, involves metal Bhasmas (like Au, Ag, Fe, Cu) for therapeutic purposes. Ayurveda literature prompts Gold Bhasma/Incinerated Gold Particle (InGPs) synergizes the co-administered drug and/or act as a drug delivery vehicle. Comparative physicochemical and drug encapsulation and release pattern analysis of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) and InGPs was performed to test the above statement. We have loaded Rifamycin (RF) and Isoniazid (INH) over AuNPs, and InGPs, with and without nano-carrier, and checked their encapsulation and release pattern. Interestingly, Gold Bhasma has a high entrapment, and encapsulation compared to a gold nanoparticle. InGPs with a carrier(InGP + Cs) have shown increased retention capacity compared to AuNPs with a carrier(AuNP + Cs). The cumulative releasing pattern of RF/INH from AuNPs + Cs was faster than InGP + Cs suggesting the InGPs have higher drug holding capacity. InGPs with or without polymeric carriers have good entrapment and retention capacity. Obtained results demonstrate that InGPs could have more significant value and practical application in the loading and delivery of antibiotics that further indicate to address antibacterial problems effectively, especially in the case of drug resistance. With this short communication, our motto is to bring this interesting and valuable information quickly to the nano-medicine community. We elicit this appealing information that gold Bhasma could be further explored and speed up its potentiating inhibitory effects of existing antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria and improve sustained release antibiotic delivery.