215-223Importance of antioxidants
such as vitamin C and zinc in treatment of diabetes mellitus
and hypertension is being
recognised. There is a growing interest to find naturally occurring
antioxidants rather than synthetic ones for their use in medicinal material.
Therefore a study was undertaken a) to assess antioxidant and trace metal
potential of five brands of Chyavanpraash and eight marketed Ayurvedic
preparations (AP) at their prescribed dose level along with their major nine
ingredients; b) to measure bioavailable amounts of trace metals; and c) to
examine toxicity of lead in these AP. Trivang, Abhrak and Loha bhasma had
high levels of copper, cobalt and nickel. Manganese contents were high in
Trivang and Abhrak but zero in Lohabhasma. Even though amalaki is one of the
main ingredients of Chyavanpraash and Raktavardhak, their vitamin
C content was quite low. Tannic acid was marginal in these two preparations.
Three types of amalaki showed variable contents of iron, zinc, copper, lead,
manganese and ascorbic acid. Tannic acid was highest in small
amalaki. Sun drying reduced vitamin C content by seventy five percent of the
fresh amalaki. Lohabhasma showed highest bioavailable iron followed by
Lohachurna. The bioavailable iron was negligible in Chyavanpraash and
Raktavardhaka as compared to Lohabhasma and Abhrak bhasma. Bioavailable
zinc content was high in Trivang bhasma and is a promising zinc
supplement. Mineral iron treated with Gomutra decreased % iron
bioavailability by one third but % zinc bioavailabiliy
increased twofold. Lead content was highest in Trivang bhasma. The
content of lead in daily dose of Chyavanpraash and Raktavardhak was high, but
within the prescribed safe limits for lead. Further the bioavailable
amount of lead for all these preparations was also very low