PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DWIGUNA BALIJARITA RASASINDURA (MERCURY SULPHIDE) PREPARED BY TWO METHODS

Introduction: Rasashastra (Iatrochemistry) transforms raw minerals into therapeutically potent formulations such as Rasasindura (mercury sulphide). Gandhaka Jarana (sulphur digestion) is the key pharmaceutical process governing its formation and quality. Objectives: This study compares the pharmaceutical and physicochemical effects of Single-Stage versus Two-Stage (Sequential) Gandhaka Jarana in the preparation of Dwiguna Rasasindura. Methods: Dwiguna Rasasindura was prepared from purified mercury and Sulphur using the two pharmaceutical methods in which Single-Stage Gandhaka Jarana used Kajjali (black sulfide of mercury) was prepared with double the quantity of sulphur, and the Two-Stage (Sequential) Gandhaka Jarana involved the preparation of Samaguna Rasasindura followed by additional sulphur. Both preparations were processed by the Kupipakwa method under controlled heating conditions. Five distinct samples comprising Samaguna Rasasindura (SR), Single-Stage Dwiguna Rasasindura (SDR), Two-Stage Dwiguna Rasasindura (TDR), and their corresponding Kajjali intermediates (KJ-SDR and KJ-TDR), were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for crystallographic characterization and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for elemental analysis. Result: XRD analysis confirmed that all pharmaceutical methods resulted in the formation of crystalline cinnabar (HgS), although the Kajjali intermediates exhibited lower crystallinity. XRF analysis demonstrated mercury and sulphur as the principal elements in all preparations, with minor differences in elemental composition. Overall, the findings indicate that irrespective of the Gandhaka Jarana method employed, successful conversion of the formulation into crystalline Rasasindura (HgS) was achieved. Conclusion: The analytical findings alone cannot establish therapeutic equivalence, and further pharmacological and clinical studies are required to evaluate their biological and therapeutic properties.