Study of Incinerated Silver Used in Indian Traditional Medicine Systems

Abstract

Incinerated metal particles such as gold, silver, copper and iron are administered as internal medicines in the Indian systems of medicine, Siddha and Ayurveda, respectively. We studied the structure, composition and properties of the Incinerated Silver (IAg) particles (Veli parpam/Rajata bhasma) as well as their spectra and localisation in cancer cells (HeLa, A549 and HCT 116). The average crystallite size, particle size, and hydrodynamic diameter were found to be 54.6 nm, 300 nm to 1.7 m, and 530 nm-1.1 m, respectively. The particles have a negative surface charge with a zeta potential of-22.87±1.34 mV. The IAg particles are made up of Ag, Ca, Fe, Hg and other trace elements. Further, their subcellular properties and locations were analysed in cancer cell lines. The preliminary results obtained from the SEM and hyperspectral imaging show the uptake of the IAg particles and aggregates. License terms (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited.