Kulshrestha Mayank Krishna et al. IRJP 2012, 3 (10) INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY www.irjponline.com ISSN 2230 – 8407 Review Article A CRITICAL REVIEW ON AYURVEDIC DRUG KAPARDIKA (CYPRAEA MONETA LINN.) Kulshrestha Mayank Krishna1*, Karbhal Kamleshwar Singh2 1Dept. Of Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajya Kalpana, Rajiv Lochan Ayurveda Medical College & Hospital, Chandkhuri, Durg, (C.G), India 2Dept. Of Rasa Shastra & Bhaisajya Kalpana, Govt. Ayurveda College, G.E. Road, Raipur, (C.G), India Article Received on: 16/08/12 Revised on: 15/09/12 Approved for publication: 13/10/12 *Dr. Mayank Krishna Kulshrestha Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Kapardika (Cypraea moneta Linn.) are the choice of drug for many indications in Ayurvedic practice. These are the sea products and obtained from seacoast. These were once used for playing purpose by children, ornamental purpose by women and used as money unit since ancient time. Literatures of ancient science and current available materials are reviewed to highlight the importance of Kapardika. This literary information may serve as an evidence to establish current research in ancient Ayurvedic systems. Key words- Ayurveda, Kapardika, Cypraea moneta INTRODUCTION Hindi - Kaudi Ayurveda is a well-documented traditional system of Indian Kannada - Kauri Medicine. Rasa Shastra, an offshoot of Ayurveda popular Latin - Cypraea Moneta from medieval period, mostly deals with therapeutic Marathi - Kauri utilization of metals and minerals1,2. In traditional system of Oriya - Kauri medicine the Kapardika (Cypraea moneta), have been used as Persian - Kajak, Khar-mohara, Gosh Mahi medicine to cure various ailments mainly related with Sanskrit - Kaparda stomach and in the treatment of dyspepsia, jaundice, Sindhi - Pingo enlarged spleen, liver, asthma, cough and also reported to be Tamil - Kauri externally used as caustic in various forms of ointments3,4. Telgu – Gavalu Kapardika is also included in Sadharan Rasa5,6. Kapardika is Description the name given to small convolute glossy shells of variegated Cowries generally belong to the member of mollusks and colours of oblong, oval shape varying in size7.Cowries shells family of Cypraeidae, they are favourite of collectors because were used in many area of medicines i.e. dyspepsia, jaundice, of their beautiful colours. The mantle is usually ornamented enlarged spleens and liver, asthma and cough8. In the present with papillae that provide camouflage and assist in scenario the use of Cowries preparations are single drugs or respiration. The colour of the mantle some times matched the as ingredients in many Ayurvedic medicines has evoked spongs it feed upon11. concerns and debate in the scientific forums in the recent Habitat times. The present study was undertaken to review the It is found in the Sea. It lives on rocky ground particularly in Ayurvedic as well as modern concept of Kapardika. and about coral roofs. It is found in Sea mainly in India and Synonyms Pacific Oceans7. Kapardika has numerous synonyms like, varat, varatika, Morphology kapardaka, kaparda, kapardi, charachar, char etc. The various It is small, convolute glossy shells of variegated colours synonyms of kapardika as explained in different Rasa Sastra (white, yellow, red) of oblong oval shape varying in size texts are given in Table-1. from a tamarind seed to an almond. The upper surface is Historical Review smooth, shiny and convex. Base is compressed with a cleft in An ancient time, Indians had a special definite and decisive the center which runs longitudinally, toothed on both sides knowledge of Kapardika. According to the text, Kapardika and channeled at each end7. has been possibly considered to be used since mid-eval Varieties period9.First affirms knowledge of Kapardika was known by In Rasa sastra varieties of Kapardika are mentioned on the the Indus Valley civilization. Ayurvedic texts have adequate basis of its weight, size and colour. On the basis of knowledge about Kapardika bhasma, its various formulations weight5,13,15,27,28,31,39,40,41,43, there are three varieties i.e. 11/2 and its medicinal properties. Mainly in Rasa Sastra texts Niska, 1 Niska and ¾ Niska. Kapardika which is one and half Kapardika is mentioned in “Sadharan Rasa”. The etymology Niska (11/2 sana) in weight, is considered as Uttam (best). of Kapardika has mentioned in the text “Amarkosha”10. Kapardika which is one Niska in weight is Madhyama Vernacular names of kapardika7,8,12,20 (medium). Kapardika which is ¾ Niska in weight is Hina Arabic - Sadaf (inferior). Bengali - Kadi According Rasa ratna samucchaya5,15,27,28,31,39,40,41,43, Chinese - Shou Mu Li Kapardika which is having yellowish tinge, has nodules on English - Cowrie, Marine shell, Covries the back and which is oval in shape, is praised as Kapardika. French - Porcelaneous Ecale The Kapardika which is not processing above mentioned German - Porcelaneous Schalen qualities considered as Guru and to increase Kapha and Pitta Gujarati - Kodi dosa. On the basis of colour14, there are three varieties of Page 8 Kulshrestha Mayank Krishna et al. IRJP 2012, 3 (10) Kapardika are mentioned on the basis of colour i.e. Pitta Vipaka6 - Katu (yellow), Sweta (white) and Dhusra (grey). Out of these Pitta Verya6 - Ushna (yellow) colour Kapardika is considered as best. Sweta Karma6 - Depana, Vrushya, netrya, Rasayana, Sukrakara, (white) colour as medium and Dhusara (grey) colour as Rasendrajarana, Dosahari, Vida nirmanakari. undesired. According to Ayurveda Prakash15,43, three types of Dosa Prabhava6 - Kaphavataghna, Kapardika are Sweta (white), Rakta (Red) and Pitta (Yellow). Vyadhi Prabhava6 - Parinam asula, Grahani, Kshaya roga, Based on structure two types Kapardika are described i.e. Sula, Netra roga, Sukra susti, Sphota, Karna srava, Granthi Yukta (with knot) and Granthi Vihina (without Agnimandya, Pitta roga, Rakta roga, Kapharoga. Knot)16. Dose20,43 - 2 Ratti (250 mg). Physical Properties Anupana20,43 - Vasa swarasa, Nimbu swarasa, Trikatu Yellowish in colour, having nods on back surface, heavy in kashaya, Udumbara swarasa. weight and long Vrinta (Peripheri) should not have any Vrana Chemical Constituents (cut or fissure) on their surface6. The ash form of Cyprea moneta known as cowrie bhasma Modern View contains phosphate, fluoride and Carbonate of Calcium, The money cowrie shell or Cypraea moneta belongs to the mangnesium and phosphate and manganese8. The analysis of cowrie family. It occurs in areas with warm water the Kapardika bhsama shows that the overall process of the temperatures such as the Maldive Islands. These shells have formation of kapardika bhasma involves decarbonation of medium size teeth, not extending across the base. They are calcium carbonate in aragonite form and reformation of the heavily margined, with base and margin white and unspotted. calcium carbonate in the calcite form. This transformation In some modern examples a black transverse line crosses the occurs via formation of calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide dorsum almost centrally17. The cowrie shell is one of the as the intermediates. Kapardika bhasma is thus highly most remarkable primitive currencies ever used before the crystalline calcium carbonate in the calcite form with advent of gold and silver coinage. This shell extended its presence of trace elements like Mg, Al, K, Fe and Zn13. range further than any form of money before or since, Pharmacological Activity spreading from China and India to the Pacific Islands, Cowries shells were used in many area of medicine, travelling across and encircling Africa and then penetrating examples include deadly venoms of some cowries shells used the New World18. Cypraea moneta Linnaeus,1758, is an to help victims of strokes and heart diseases and to produce a abundant and easily recognized gastropod throughout the revolutionary new drug for chronic pain control. The cement Indo-West-Pacific. A number of names distinguishing of the carrier shell is used as a possible cement for bone subspecies and races have been introduced for the money fractures. Powdered Pearl’s from shell are used as a topical cowry, and it is generally recognized as a highly variable eye medicine and it has been scientifically proved to have species19. Different colours of cowries are dependent on the21 some anti-inflammatory effect in painful condition called » Sexual hormones conjunctivitis and is also used as calcium supplement both » Genetic factor for human and animal and is an inhibitor of cancer in mice22 . » Pigmentationss Report shows that 10% of all cowries had been investigated » Disease in detail for bioactive agent24,25. » Injury Toxicity Study » Diet Animals (mice) treated with Kapardika bhasma did not show » Presence or absence of aluminium and other compounds any sign of toxicity in the acute toxicity study. No abnormal » The acidity of the soil and water22 behavior and mortality was observed during 72 hrs after drug » Temperature of water treatment in any experimental group. The haematological, Primarily genetic abnormalities, injury,disease, and biochemical parameters and biopsy were also taken into environmental factors.Genetic factors can for instance lead to consideration for assessing the toxicity of above-mentioned albinism, while certain diseases produce unusually large and drug26. heavy shells with a calloused, mottled appearance. Uses And Indications Shodhana (Purification) It is used in indigestion, colic, peptic ulcer, eye diseases, It is the process which removes the impurities to some extent dysentery, earache, ulcer7, dyspepsia, jaundice, enlarged and helps in increasing the therapeutic values of the drugs. spleen & liver, asthma and cough8. Calx is prepared from the The various media and procedures as explained in different shells of Cyprea moneta and used as expectorant in chronic Rasa Shastra texts are given in Table 2. bronchitis. A yellow variety is considered good. It is diuretic, Marana (Incineration) anti-diarrhoeic and of value in eye diseases, if used in the Marana (Incineration) is a process of Rasa Shastra to make form of “Surama”, local application with Saltpetre is good for Bhasmas out of metals and minerals for internal leucoderma and skin diseases. Ash is mixed with butter and administration.