Abstract

CONCEPT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN MERCURIAL PREPARATIONS

Bineesh E. P.*, Sathyanarayana B. and Vidya N. V.

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structure possessing at least one dimension from 1 to 100 nanometers. The drug is encapsulated in nanoparticles which helps it pass through the stomach to deliver the drug in to the blood stream. There are efforts underway to develop oral administration of several different drugs using a variety of nanoparticles. Here comes the relevance of mercurial and other metallic preparations which authentically prescribed in Ayurveda rasashastra classics like rasaratnasamuchaya, rasatarangini etc. Different studies using advanced instrumental techniques have characterized nanoparticles in mercurial preparations such as rasa sindoor etc used in Rasashastra. Present paper throws light on such evidences. Manufacturing methods of Bhasma are in tune of nanotechnology of contemporary era and proved advancement of Rasashastra.

Keywords: Nanoparticles, engineered particles, mercurial preparation, instrumental techniques.