Evaluation of impact of Siddha Suthi (purification) processes on nut of Serankottai (Semecarpus anacardium L.)

Abstract

Introduction: Serankottai (Semecarpus anacardium L.) is a Schedule E (1) drug and is considered for treating all kinds of Vatha diseases, venereal disease, skin disease and cancerous conditions. Suthi murai denotes the purification process before any drug is employed in medicine. This study is aimed at evaluating the impact of Siddha purification processes on macro-microscopical and physico-chemical characteristics of Serankottai so that a justification for such classical processes can be derived. Materials and Method: The raw (S1) and purified Serankottai (S2 to S6) samples were analyzed for their macroscopic, microscopic and powder microscopic analysis followed by the physicochemical parameters like loss on drying (LOD), total ash (TA), water soluble ash (WSA), acid insoluble ash (AIA), water soluble extractive (WSE), alcohol soluble extractive (ASE) and pH values. Results: Prismatic crystals, oil globules, sclereids, resin, fiber were observed in the microscopical studies of raw sample and these are found in the purified samples except S2 which has revealed charred cell structure. Physical nature of Serankottai has been maintained in all the purification methods except for S2. The LOD was 5.53%, 2.90%, 6.47%, 5.03%, 4.6%, 5.05% in sampleS1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6 respectively. The TA values were 3.44%, 18.90%, 2.59%, 2.54% 2.7% and 3.65% in sample S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6 respectively. Significant differences in physico-chemical parameters were observed in different purification methods. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the Siddha purification processes have impact on physicochemical characters of Semecarpus anacardium. The need of the purification, as mentioned in Siddha texts is hereby justified.