1

6


6.1




Brief Resume of the intended Work:

Need for the Study:

The utility of metals and minerals such as gold, silver, copper, gems and salts in management of
various diseases is well known in all the traditional system of medicine. Earlier there was a
perception that metals are not compatible to human body at all, but now it has been reported that a
number of metallic compounds are essential for body and some are in the category of possibly
essential elements.
Metals and minerals are generally not used directly in the raw form but are converted either into
their carbonates or oxides by the process of Ihraq or Taklees, so as to make them compatible, the
product obtained is known as mukallas or kushta.
The utility of metal silver as jewellery is extensively known, but little attention has been paid to
evaluate its therapeutic efficacy as well as toxic effects scientifically.
Kushta nuqra which is generally used as a very effective mughliz e mani and muqavi e aam
4
and
is prepared form silver, which in its raw form is toxic and its use for a longer time may cause some
side effects such as gastric disturbances and produce a condition called Argyria
1
. In this disease
electron-opaque particles are recognized in the basal lamina surrounding eccrine sweat glands,
between the muscle cells and between collagen fibres therefore its preparations must be tested for
possible toxicity
3.
Systemic Argyria caused by chronic ingestion of silver compounds is a rare
condition which, apart from its cosmetic effects, is thought to be relatively harmless and is not
thought to be carcinogenic
2
.

Moreover if the kushta is prepared with some adulterated forms of
silver the expected efficacy is hampered and it may also lead to some complications.
Therefore in this study an attempt is being made to evaluate the toxic effects of kushta nuqra
which is prepared by detoxifying the raw metal silver by different methods mentioned in the
classical texts.





2



6.2





































Review of literature:

Taklees is the term applied to a process in which hard elements are made soft and mostly
white powder. It is the finest form of powder used as medicine prepared by process of
calcination of the metal, mineral and animal origin drugs. These drugs are calcined by special
process in closed crucibles and in pits of different size filled with cow dung cakes or coal to
produce different intensity of heat. The use of calcined metal in Unani system of medicine
is quite old. Arabs were masters in Alchemy. Jabir Bin Hayyan also is considered as father of
chemistry has mentioned the use and method of preparation of kushta of iron, tin etc. Razi
has mentioned the use and method of making kushta e nuqra as mughliz e mani in Al Havi
6
.
Silver was used in the forms of foils and kushtas, and in coating of tablets. Most of silver
preparations were used in disease like melancholia, hallucinations, epilepsy, palpitation,
parkinsonism etc
1
.
Silver - Synonyms - Akseer , rasayan , kushta
5



It is a precious metal and is white in colour. According to Ayurveda it has got bitter and acidic
tastes which after sometime becomes sweet
1
.

Molecular Weight
7
107.87

SYNONYMS
Fiddah,
Silver ,
Argentum
8

Persian Sem
9

Unani Kora
10
3


.



















TEMPERAMENT
According to Ibn Sina Silver is cooling [mubarrid] & desiccant [mujaffif] & Cold & Dry [1, 1].
According to Ibn Masoya it is cold & dry [2, 2]
10

The great Avicenna wrote in Advia Qalbia that silver is cold & dry. Vaids also describe nuqra as
cold
1
.

ACTIONS OF SILVER
Mughalizzat e mani [semen thickener, concentrative]
4


Muqawwi e aam [general tonic]
4


Warq nuqra is cardiotonic.
11

Musakkinat e bah [an aphrodisiac]
12


Its filings are useful in halitosis.

Chest- useful in palpitation.
8


Weakness of the urinary bladder, strengthens the body & it gives reddish appearance to the
body.
13


Cephalic tonic, cardiac stimulant, liver tonic, aphrodisiac, useful in spermatorrhoea & nocturnal
emission.
14


Qurs kushta nuqra is prescribed in zof e bah due to zof e aamma [general weakness] & zof e qalb
by Hkm. Sharif khan.
15

Kushta nuqra is used for treating Melancholia.
16


It acts as a tonic for fat, bones & brain. Its powder acts as tonic for eyes .It causes constipation.
1



4



6.3





7.


7.1


7.2


OBJECTIVE OF STUDY.
[1] To compare the physicochemical parameters of Kushta Nuqra which is prepared by different
methods of detoxification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SOURCE OF DATA
Laboratory of Ilmul Saidla, National Institute Of Unani Medicine
COLLECTION OF DATA

METHODS OF DETOXIFICATION OF SILVER
[1] Silver foils are heated red hot and then cooled in tamarind water three times respectively. The
same process is repeated thrice with grape water.
17

[2] Very thin silver foils are taken (which can allow a needle to pass through them) and are
heated red hot and then cooled in Arq e lemon. The process is repeated seven times.
6


PREPRATION OF KUSHTA NUQRA
10 gm of pure powdered silver is taken & grind with water of fresh rose petals [Gul e surkh ] for
3-4 hrs. Then small cakes are made & kept in lugdi made from Rosa damascus [Gul e surkh]
17
and kept in Muffle furnace around 800
0
c for about 5 hrs.


Physical Parameters
[1] Moisture Content
[2] Loss of weight on drying
[3] pH of 1% solution
pH of 10% solution





5




























7.3




7.4










[4] Ash Value
Total Ash
Water soluble Ash
Acid Insoluble Ash
[5] Extractive value

Chemical Parameters
1. Calcium
2. Magnesium
3. Iron
4. Copper





Does the study require any
Investigation or intervention to be
Conducted on patient or other
Humans or animals?



NO
Has ethical clearance been obtained from
your institution in case of 7.3


No Need


6


10. References


[1] Najamul Gani Rampuri A. H., Khazain Advia, Idarah Kitab Ushifa; 588-589
[2] R J Prescott, S Wells, systemic argyria,

Journal Of Clinical Pathology 1994; 47: 556-557 doi :
10.1136/ jcp. 47.6.556.
[3] Yoshiaki Hori, Shichiro Miyazawa, Jouurnal Of Electron Microscopy (Tokyo) (1977) 26 (3): 193-
201.
[4]

Anonymous, National Formulary Of Unani Medicine, Part 1, First Reprint, Government Of India,
Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare [Department Of Ayush], New Delhi; 74


[5] Bakhsh Kareem , Chugtai Ferozuddin, Miftah Ul Khazain, Idarah Kitabushifa; 6
[6] Qasmi, I.A ;

Kitab Ul Taklees, Aligadh Muslim University; 15,46


[7] Mustahsum, Ali, A ; Advia Madnia, Aijaz Piblishing House; 24
[8] Al Shiekh Al-Rais Abu Ali Hussain Bin Abdullah Bin Sina, Alcanun,Vol 2, Jamia Hamdard [Hamdard
University]; 348

[9] Kabeeruddin, Makhzanul Mufradat, Khwas Ul Advia, Aijaz Publishing House; 578.
[10] Zia Uddin Abdullah Bin Ahmad Alandalsi Al Mulqul Maroof Ba Ibn E Baitar,Jame Ul Mufradat Ul Advia Wal
Agzia, CCRUM, Jild Som ; 372

7


[11] Hafeez Abdul, Takamul Kitab Ul Advia, CCRUM; 28
[12] Ahmad Farah, Nizami Qudsia, Aslam M, Classifications of Unani Drugs, Maktaba Ishaatul Quran; 231
[13] Kabeeruddin, Bayaaz Kabeer, Faisal Publications ; 119

[14] Said, H.M; Hamdard Pharmacopoeia of Eastern Medicine, Sri Satguru Publications; 234

[15] Hamdaani Haseen Kamaluddin H.S.M; Khandan E Sharifi, Khuda Baksh Public Library; 230
[16] Kabeeruddin, Ilmul Advia Nafeesi, Aijaz Publishing House; 346-347


[17] Hafeez Abdul, Sanatul Taklees, CCRUM; 80, 103
[18]. Freirich, E.J, Gehan, E.A, Rall, D.P, Schmidt, L.H, Skipper, H.E (1966); Quantitative Comparison
of toxicity of anticancer agents in mouse, rat, hamster, dog, monkey and man. Cancer Chemotherapy
Reports50 (4), 219-244.
[19] Turner, R.A. (1965); Screening Methods in Pharmacology, New York, Vol I pp.62-63, 302-304



8


8.
Signature Of Candidate




9. Remarks Of The Guide





10. Name & Designation Of




11. Guide





12. Signature





13. Co- Guide





14. Signature





15. Head Of Department






16. Signature







17. Remarks Of Director


18. Signature


9