Quality Assessment of Kushta-e-Gaodanti: A Traditional Unani Medicine

Kushta-e-gaodanti was prepared as per the method mentioned in Unani formulary. The raw materials, intermediates obtained during the preparation of kushta and the final product were characterized using modern analytical techniques like Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The study shows that the mineral Gaodanti (calcium sulphate dihydrate) is converted into calcium sulphate hemi hydrate on first calcination in earthen pot sealed with the process gil-e-hikmat. Further on calcination this intermediate is transformed to kushta-e-gaodanti which is orthorhombic α-calcium sulphate anhydride. Kushta-e-gaodanti is a fine powder with particle size 7–8 micrometer, calcium content 29.32%, bulk density 0.928, tapped density 1.268, angle of repose 36.67° and the value of Carr's index is 47.08. Loss on drying at 110°C and loss on ignition was not more than 0.5%w/w and 0.05% w/w respectively. Microbial load of the preparation was found negative for the presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella species and Staphylococcus aureus. Total aerobic count was under acceptance limit. Trace element analysis of bhasma by ICP-OES revealed the presence of some other important metals like arsenic, lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury, tin under acceptable limits at prescribed dose.