Comparative evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Manahshila (Realgar)

Background: Realgar popularly known as Manahshila (in Ayurveda) is an arsenic and sulphur containing mineral drug. The Manahshila is used after Shodhana (purification) for the treatment of various diseases in traditional Indian systems of medicine which also includes pain-related disorders. Aim: This study is aimed to evaluate the comparative anti-inflammatory efficacy of Manahshila using in vivo models of inflammation in rats. Materials and Methods: In the present study, Shodhana of Manahshila is performed by the Bhavana (levigation) where trituration of Manahshila is done with ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) juice, sesbania leaves (Sesbania grandiflora Poir.) juice, lemon (Citrus medica Linn.) juice, and lime water. The anti-inflammatory activity of the Manahshila at 0.35, 0.7, and 1.4 mg/kg, p.o. was evaluated by egg albumin-induced hind paw edema in rats. Results: The Ashodhita Manahshila (crude realgar) showed mortality, while Shodhita Manahshila (purified with all four media) did not showed mortality in the treated rats up to a dose of 2,000 mg/kg. Ashodhita and Shodhita Manahshila revealed that at the dose level of 1.4 mg/kg it showed inhibition (p < 0.05) of egg albumin-induced hind paw edema. But, Shodhita Manahshila showed anti-inflammatory activity at all three dose levels in a dose-dependent manner. The ginger juice treated Manahshila (56.60%) was found best alleviates rat's response to egg albumin-induced inflammation among all the group. Conclusion: The results validate its usage in the healing of inflammation and also give support to its perspective as the source of novel pain relief medicine prototype.