Detoxification of Gunja Seeds with Ex Vivo Study

Abstract

Seeds of Abrus precatorius linn. (fabaceae) are used in different Ayurvedic therapeutics. Since they are poisonous, they are processed with various media like Godugdha (cow's milk), Kanji (sour gruel), Nimbu Swarasa (Lemon Juice), etc. before being incorporated into the Ayurvedic formulations. This study investigates the use of Gomutra (Cow Urine), normal saline (NaCl), and water as detoxification media. A stainless-steel vessel with a dolayantra was used to immerse the seeds for 3 hours of boiling during the detoxification process. Detoxification using Gomutra gave a reddish tinge to the seeds compared to the light brown color seen with NaCl medium. The physicochemical changes in detoxification that occurred in the gomutra treated gunja seeds were validated by TLC and Ex Vivo investigations (agglutination assay). To characterize the extract using TLC, the mobile phase was Toulene: ethyl acetate: glacial acetic acid (6.5: 3.3: 0.2). The removal of distinctive bands in the TLC profile of processed gunja seeds suggested that the gunja seed extract's composition had changed.