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Is metallic preparation of a siddha drug Thamira

Parpum safe or poisionous?

Conference Paper December 2007

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Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University
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IS METALLIC PREPARATION OF A SIDDHA DRUG THAMBIRA
PARPAM SAFE OR POISONOUS?

Manickavasakam.K*, Nalini Sofia.H**

ABSTRACT

In Siddha system of medicine most of the chronic diseases are cured

by the medicines prepared from the metal and mineral products namely
parpam, chendhuram, chunnam etc. Siddhars classified metals into two
types, Natural and Synthetic metals. Copper is one of the most important
essential natural biological metals.
This paper highlights the general characters of copper viz. Actions of
Thambira parpam, Indications of Thambira parpam, Diet restrictions, Toxic
symptoms of Tambira parpam, Antidote for Thambira parpam and
postmortem appearance of copper.
Key words: Thambira parpam, Metals, Siddha system.

Introduction
Each country has a variety of natural toxins, which its population may
be exposed. Tens of thousands of man-made chemicals are currently in
common use throughout the world, and between one and two thousands new
chemicals appear on the market each year.

* Professor & Head of the Department, Department of Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha, Tambaram
sanatorium, Chennai-47.
** P.G Scholar, Department of Maruthuvam, National Institute of Siddha, Tambaram sanatorium, Chennai-47
E.mail:nalinisofia@yahoo.com

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Every individual is exposed to toxic chemicals, usually in minute, sub toxic
doses, through environmental and food contamination. In some instances,
people may be subjected to massive, or even fatal, exposure through a
chemical disaster or in a single accidental or intentional poisoning.
Although chemicals may be absorbed in small quantities, they do not induce
pathological signs until toxic concentrations are reached in the tissues of
exposed individuals. Up to half million people die each year as a result of
various kinds of poisoning, including poisoning by natural toxins.

General characteristics of copper

Copper is the most important essential biological metal after iron and
zinc. Copper is stored between 80 and 150mg in our body. Copper is a
powerful inhibitor of enzymes. Copper metabolism is based on a sensitive
balance between absorption and excretion. It is soluble only in non-
oxidizing acids in the presence of oxygen. Copper is soluble in water or
liquid with pH less than 5.5. Hence food with pH less than 5.5 stored in
copper utensils (cooked in copper vessels) will cause poisoning. Copper
utensils destroy vitamin C content of food.

Siddha medicines having copper as medicine

1. Thambira parpam
2. Thambira chenduram

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Actions of Thambira parpam

Astringent, antispasmodic, alterative, sedative, anti septic,

emetic, and purgative. In small doses it is astringent, in large doses it
is alterative and in very large doses it is emetic. It has the quality of
getting absorbed by GIT and cures the ulcer if occurred.

Experimental pharmacology of Thambira parpam

Studies had been proved that the drug Thambira parpam possess the
following actions,

1. Mucosal protective activity

The effect of Thambira parpam and CuCl2 . 2H2O on
prostaglandin formation by human gastric and colonic mucosa and
sub mucosa as prostaglandins have mucosal protective activity and
their release may contribute to the anti ulcer effect.

2. Hepato protective activity

Daily treatment of CCl4 (3mg/kg) for 7 days induced acute
hepato necrosis in albino rats. Treatment of CCl4 caused
significant alterations in the activities of acid lipase lipoprotein of
liver, kidney and adipose tissue of albino rats. Administration of
Thambira parpam concomitant with CCl4 counteracted the action
of CCl4 on lipolytic enzymes exhibiting hepato protection.

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 3. Action of Thambira parpam on drug induced ulcers
The ability of several non-steroidal acidic anti-inflammatory
drugs to cause ulceration when given as copper complexes has
been examined. The damage caused by clopriac, Niflunic acid and
aspirin was virtually abolished when they were given as copper
complexes.
4. Invitro studies for anti ulcer activity
Invitro studies showed that 1gm of Thambira parpam
consumed 232ml of 0.1N Hcl, whereas an equivalent quality of
magnesium trisilicate consumed only 127ml of 0.1N Hcl under
controlled experimental conditions. This indicates the high acid
neutralizing (direct) capacity of the formulation.
5. Anti ulcer and anti-secretory effects
Thambira parpam has shown that this drug has anti ulcer and
anti secretory effect when tested rats with the induced gastric
ulcer and also in experimental ulcers.
Indications of Thambira parpam
hambira parpam was prescribed with different Anupanam (Adjuvant)
for various diseases. The diseases that cured by Thambira parpam with
various Anupanam are as follows.
Anupanam (Adjuvant) Indications

Water Kapha diseases

Hot water Vatha diseases
Ghee Piththa diseases
Milk Hepatomegaly
Ocimum sanctum juice Breast abscess
Sugarcane juice Parkinsonism, etc
Betel leaf juice Fevers of long standing

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Therapeutic dose

Tip of the sesamam seed.

Duration of medication

According to Siddha text it is said that if the drug Thambira parpam is

given for only 7 days it is Uththamum (i.e. good in prognosis) and if the
same drug is given for 14 days it is Maththimum (i.e. not bad in prognosis),
if it is given for 21 days it is Athamum (i.e. bad in prognosis) and finally if
the drug is given for 28 days it is Athamathamam (i.e. too bad in prognosis).

Diet restrictions during medication

During the period of consumption of Thambira parpam as medicine in

any diseases, one must avoid sour tasted foods such as Amla, Toddy, Citrus
fruits, and also should not take Bitter guard, buttermilk and curd.

When Thambira parpam becomes toxic

When the copper foils are not properly purified

When the drug is not properly prepared according to the original Siddha
text or Manuscripts.
When the precautions (paththium) are not followed properly during the
period of medication.
When the patients took high doses of Thambira parpam.
When the patients takes the medicines for a long duration.

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Toxic symptoms of Thambira parpam

Excessive cough, giddiness, ptyalism, dryness of mouth & throat,

hiccough, mental depression, syncope, retrosternal burning sensation,
blabbering, increased appetite, excessive salivation, nausea, vomiting, heart
burn, loud and unusual voice (violent voice) and it may also cause death. If
the drug is taken for a long duration, the drug itself may produce gastric
ulceration, haemorrhagic spots and hence this drug should be taken orally as
prescribed in the text.

Antidote for Thambira parpam

Consuming dried ginger with limejuice will alleviate the poisonous

effects of copper verdigris.
Diet
Food stuffs that subsides excessive appetite such as ghee, butter,
rice cake, wafer (a kind of cake), sugar, flakes and unhusked rice
soaked in water, dried and bruised pulses and fruits were
recommended.
Juice of emblica officinalis or limejuice or sour buttermilk of buffalo in
the dose of 40ml could also be used.
Gum of almond tree.
Large quantities of milk and ghee.
Freshly made infusion of isaphgol.

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Postmortem appearance (for copper)

The skin may be yellow owing to jaundice; greenish blue froth may be
coming out of the mouth and nostrils.
The mucous membrane of the alimentary canal may be congested,
swollen, inflamed and excoriated with haemorrhage.
The contents of the stomach are green or blue and the mucous
membrane shows superficial and deep erosions and is stained green.
The mucous membrane of the duodenum may present the same
appearance.
The colon sometimes shows large alterations and the rectum may be
perforated.
The liver may be soft, enlarged and fatty.
Spontaneous haemolysis of the blood and extensive degenerative
changes in the proximal tubules with the deposition of copper and
congestion of glomeruli has been reported.
Conclusion:
The formulation of Thambira parpam is made as said in the
Siddha Text, and this medicine is prescribed according to the literature the
medicine Thambira Parpam does not produced any harmful effect.

Reference:

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Dept.of Indian medicine and Homeopathy, Chennai-106.

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 13. Mr.C.Reuben Danel et al (1997)-Dissertation submitted on
Standardization &Pharmacological validation of Thambira parpam of
Siddha formulation for its anti-ulcer activity to J.S.S. College, Ooty.

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