Title:The Potential Impact of Ayurvedic Traditional Bhasma on SARS-CoV- 2-
Induced Pathogenesis
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Author(s): Pankaj Kumar*, Remya Jayakumar, Manoj Kumar Dash and Namrata Joshi
Affiliation:
- Department of Rasa Shastra, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Keywords:
Bhasma, marana, transition metal, nanocrystalline structure, proinflammatory, nanoparticles, gut microbiome.
Abstract: The mass casualties caused by the delta variant and the wave of the newer “Omicron”
variant of SARS-COV-2 in India have brought about great concern among healthcare officials. The
government and healthcare agencies are seeking effective strategies to counter the pandemic. The
application of nanotechnology and repurposing of drugs are reported as promising approaches in
the management of COVID-19 disease. It has also immensely boomed the search for productive, reliable,
cost-effective, and bio-assimilable alternative solutions. Since ancient times, the traditionally
employed Ayurvedic bhasmas have been used for diverse infectious diseases, which are now employed
as nanomedicine that could be applied for managing COVID-19-related health anomalies.
Like currently engineered metal nanoparticles (NPs), the bhasma nanoparticles (BNPs) are also
packed with unique physicochemical properties, including multi-elemental nanocrystalline composition,
size, shape, dissolution, surface charge, hydrophobicity, and multi-pathway regulatory as
well as modulatory effects. Because of these conformational and configurational-based physicochemical
advantages, Bhasma NPs may have promising potential to manage the COVID-19 pandemic
and reduce the incidence of pneumonia-like common lung infections in children as well as
age-related inflammatory diseases via immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and adjuvant-
related properties.