A preliminary report on bioavailability of Ayurvedic Gold Bhasma with four different accompanying media [anupana]

Background: Gold bhasma [Swarnabhasma] is a ancient Ayurvedic medicine used for rejuvenation and longevity. This is a preliminary attempt to study the bioavailability of this medicine. Objectives: It was aimed to estimate comparative bioavailability of gold bhasma up to five hours after oral dose with four different anupana. Materials and methods: In this in vivo study, 30 healthy human participants were allocated randomly into five groups having six individuals each. Gold bhasma in 30 mg dose was administered orally with four different anupana viz honey [2.5 gm], black pepper-ghee combination [250 mg and 2.5 gm respectively], lactose [250 mg], glucose [250 mg], and plain to participants in each group. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 3 and 5 hours after dose. Gold levels in blood were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry [ICP-MS]. Results: Gold levels in all blood samples were in traces. Average Cmax was 0.002333 microgram of gold per liter and Tmax was at 3 hours for honey anupana, showing maximum Cmax among all groups. Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that bioavailability of gold from gold bhasma may be less than 0.01 % upto first five hours. Gold bhasma mixed with honey resulted in attainment of maximum Cmax. It is evident that accompanying media [anupana] play an important role in absorption of gold bhasma.