Physicochemical, Thermal and Spectroscopic Characterization of the Energy of Consciousness Healing Treated Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root Extract

Abstract

Ashwagandha root extract is widely used in nutraceutical preparations due to its broad range of pharmacological activities. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of Biofield Energy Treatment (The Trivedi Effect®) on the physicochemical, thermal and spectral properties of ashwagandha root extract by using various analytical techniques. The sample of ashwagandha root extract was divided into two parts in which one part was kept untreated and called as control sample; while the other part was provided with the Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment remotely by the Biofield Energy Healer, Mr. Mahendra Kumar Trivedi and termed as Biofield Energy Treated sample. The study reported that the particle size values at d10, d50, d90, and D (4,3) in the Biofield Energy Treated sample was significantly decreased by 9.23%, 9.04%, 11.86%, and 10.59%, respectively compared with the control sample. Thus, the surface area of the treated sample was significantly increased by 10.75% compared to the control sample. The PXRD analysis showed that the control as well as the Biofield Energy Treated samples was amorphous in nature. The DSC analysis showed that the onset evaporation temperature and latent heat of vaporization were significantly altered by 2.18% and-10.29%, respectively in the Biofield Energy Treated sample compared with the control sample. The TGA analysis indicated the four step thermal degradation of both the samples. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th steps of thermal degradation of the treated sample showed an alteration in the weight loss by -6.59%, 1.97%, -1.80%, and -8.65%, respectively along with 0.81% reduction in the total weight loss, compared with the control sample. Besides, the maximum thermal degradation temperature (Tmax) in the control sample was observed at 234.17°C and 365.12°C for the two broad peaks, which was decreased by 1.73% and 0.82%, respectively compared to the control sample. The overall analysis suggests that the Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment might enhance the solubility, absorption, and bioavailability profile of ashwagandha root extract along with altered thermal stability. Such altered properties might help in designing better pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations; thereby provide better therapeutic response against various diseases such as amnesia, arthritis, anxiety, cancer, impotence, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases.