INHIBITION OF GROWTH OF BRUSHITE CRYSTALS USING KULITTH-YUSH WITH AND WITHOUT CITRIC ACID

The present study examined the potential of horsegram yush/ broth on preventing growth of calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (Brushite) crystals in vitro. Crystal length was measured daily over a period of 11 days Two types of yush were tested (a) akruth yush made with only salt or (b) kruth yush with Trikatu consisting of equal proportions of long pepper (Piper longum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), and dry ginger (Zingiber officinale). These yush were tested also with addition of different concentrations of citric acid or lemon juice. The yush were prepared as prescribed in Ayurvedic texts. Kruth yush significantly inhibited crystal growth and was more effective than akruth yush. Addition of citric acid to the kruth yush, reduced crystal size from Day 2 and continued until Day 11. Percent reduction was more with higher citric acid concentration (302% with 0.001 M, 35.5% with 0.0055 M and 50.2% with 0.01M citric acid). However, citric acid alone with horsegram yush did not reduce crystal size significantly. Lemon juice was effective in reducing crystal size from Day 2 itself. Percent reduction was 31.4% with 1.04% lemon juice, 33.5% with 1.56%, 43.9% with 2.08% and 52.7% with 3.13% lemon juice. Reduction in crystal length was 0.017cm with 1.04% lemon juice and 0.088 cm with 3.13% lemon juice was comparable to 0.0415 cm length obtained with 0.001 M citric acid. The study showed that use of kruth horsegram (yush+trikatu) with addition of lemon juice was effective in reducing size of brushite crystals.