Calcium Bioavailability Comparison of Calcined Pearl Powder and Triturated Pearl Powder in Wistar Rats

Background: Pearl has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since many centuries. The two formulations i.e., Triturated Pearl powder) and Incinerated Pearl powder are used in a variety of disorders. Pearl, containing Calcium Carbonate in Aragonite form, is known to possess anti-osteoporotic, bone regenerating, sedative, anti-epileptic, and cognition-enhancing properties. Although micronized and nano-sized pearl powders have been studied for bioavailability, the pharmacokinetics of these Ayurvedic formulations of Pearl are unknown. This study elucidated the difference in bioavailability of calcium from two different forms of particle size reduction viz., trituration (heatless) and incineration (extreme heat). Methods: A single dose, randomized study was conducted on Wistar rats to observe the bioavailability of MP and MB along with Standard control Calcium lactate intervention and Normal Control Calcium levels in rats without intervention. After administration of corresponding drugs, blood sample was collected from each group at 30 min, 60 min, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours. Calcium levels from blood samples were estimated using o-cresolphthalein complexone (oCPC) method. Results: Using collected data, Sr. Calcium levels at aforementioned time intervals, Maximum plasma concentration (C_max), Time taken to reach maximum concentration (T_max) and Area under the curve (AUC) were determined. Conclusion: It was noted that serum calcium levels were significantly higher in triturated pearl powder than in other calcium compounds (p<0.05), thus demonstrating that method of particle size reduction and form of the compound in final drug is crucial to enhance the bioavailability.