Critical note on pretreatment (Shodhana) of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia L.)

Abstract

Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia L.) is an herb mainly indicated for the treatment of skin diseases in the classical text of Ayurveda. Before the use of several potent herbs, metals, minerals, and poisonous plants, specific processing is mentioned to be done to minimize the untoward effect of the drug or to make the drug more suitable for further processing as mentioned in Ayurveda classics. Such procedures are considered pretreatment (Shodhana). Although classical texts of Ayurveda have mentioned pretreatment of Bakuchi fruits before their therapeutic use, its internal administration after processing is not prevalent in clinical practice. This pretreatment may be considered as the Shodhana procedure of Bakuchi. Accordingly, data were assembled in the context of pretreatment of Bakuchi from Ashtanga Samgraha, Gadanigraha, Rasoudhhara Tantra, Vrunda Madhava, Anandakanda, Rasakamadhenu, and from published researches. Three procedures, viz. Nimajjana (immersion), Prakshalana (washing with water), and Bharjana (roasting), were mentioned for pretreatment of Bakuchi. Pretreatments are noted as soaking of Bakuchi fruits in Gomutra (cow’s urine) or Ardraka Swarasa (juice of Zingiber officinale Rosc.) for 7 or 21 days or Bibhitaka Kwatha (decoction of Terminalia belerica Roxb.) for 1 night and Bharjana (roasting) in Ghee. Blisters occur because of the presence of furanocoumarins like psoralen in formulations, which holds Bakuchi. Pretreatment performed on Bakuchi fruits may derive newer chemical moieties, further rendering it helpful to minimize adverse drug reactions, increase the efficacy of Bakuchi or its containing formulation, and further break the pathogenesis of the disease.