Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy Study on Shadguna Makaradhwaja - An Ayurvedic Mercurial Drug Compound

Background: Shadguna Makaradhwaja (SM) (a sublimated mercurial preparation with gold, sulphur and mercury in the ratio 1:8:48) is a well known and frequently used formulation especially in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and impotency. Ayurvedic classical texts advocates preparing of SM from thin foils of gold. However there is a significant quantity of gold which remains at the bottom of glass bottle as residue which can be utilized again to prepare SM. Aim: To identify the functional group and organic ligands present in samples of SM prepared from gold foils and from residual gold by using Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Material and methods: SM prepared from Swarna Varkha (thin foils of gold) (SM V) was taken from previous research of Shraddha Dhundi et. al. and one sample of SM prepared from bottom residue (Apakwa Talastha Swarna powder) (SM R) were subjected to FTIR analysis. Results: The analysis of both samples of both samples showed large number of peaks showing presence more functional groups. Intensity of peaks in SM R was slightly higher than SM V which may be due to repeated heating as it is prepared from bottom residue. Conclusion: Both samples contain few functional groups with complicated structure. SM R showed more peaks in double bond region which indicated its higher stability compared to SM V. Presence of different functional groups indicates their difference in pharmacological action.