Swarna Bindu Prashana—an Ancient Approach to Improve the Infant’s Immunity

Abstract

Swarna bindu prashana (SBP) is a metallic medicinal preparation widely used in Ayurveda pediatrics. The main ingredients of SBP are swarna prashan (gold nanoparticle), gou ghrita (cow ghee), madhu (honey), and other medhya dravyas (drugs which enhance intellectual, memory). According to the Indian classical text, SBP has been proposed as a potent medicine for immunotherapies and vaccine development due to its indefinite size, shapes, charges, and surface functionality. In this review, we describe the plausible mechanism of SBP in dendritic cells maturation and subsequent T cell activation. But being herbo-metallic preparation, its safety and efficacy are well supported by the classical publications of Ayurveda. To conclude, SBP is an immune booster for infants against any viral disease, and it is necessary to validate its safety and efficacy through systematic methodological research.

Full text

Swarna Bindu Prashana—an Ancient Approach to Improve
the Infant’s Immunity
Prabhudas Nelaturi
1
&Prithiviraj Nagarajan
1
&Satheesh Kumar Sabapathy
1
&Ravikumar Sambandam
1
Received: 29 July 2020 /Accepted: 23 August 2020
#Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract
Swarna bindu prashana (SBP) is a metallic medicinal preparation widely used in Ayurveda pediatrics. The main ingredients of
SBP are swarna prashan (gold nanoparticle), gou ghrita (cow ghee), madhu (honey), and other medhya dravyas (drugs which
enhance intellectual, memory). According to the Indian classical text, SBP has been proposed as a potent medicine for immu-
notherapies and vaccine development due to its indefinite size, shapes, charges, and surface functionality. In this review, we
describe the plausible mechanism of SBP in dendritic cells maturation and subsequent T cell activation. But being herbo-metallic
preparation, its safety and efficacy are well supported by the classical publications of Ayurveda. To conclude, SBP is an immune
booster for infants against any viral disease, and it is necessary to validate its safety and efficacy through systematic methodo-
logical research.
Keywords Swarna bindu prashan (SBP) .Pediatric .Immune booster .Herbo-metallic .Immune-modulatory .Vaccine
Introduction
In Ayurveda, administration of the gold particles in children is
considered to be a unique practice termed as swarna prashana
[1]. The term swarna refers to gold and prashana refers to
consuming or ingesting. Therefore, swarna prashana refers
to the act of consuming or ingesting gold in the prescribed
dose and quantity [2]. Gold is one among seven metal catego-
rized pure metals which is mainly used for preventive and
curative purposes. The benefits of children, who consumed
swarna prashana, improve their intellectual, digestion and me-
tabolism, physical strength, immunity, fertility, and lifespan
[3–5].
For the past several decades, experimental evidence proved
that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have become better biocom-
patible metal nanoparticles in disease diagnosis and therapeu-
tics [5]. These nanoparticles can be synthesized by using var-
ious methods which include chemical and electrochemical
radiation, photochemical method, and biological techniques
[1]. Nanoparticles synthesized for therapeutics using physical
and chemical techniques have major limitation, namely, toxic
and hazardous chemicals being produced during the synthesis
process [6]. To overcome this limitation, synthesis of nano-
particles using biological conjugates such as proteins, pep-
tides, oligonucleotide, polysaccharides, fatty acid, and amino
acids might be done reducing the toxic nature of the prepared
nanoparticles [1]. These gold nanoparticles also possess anti-
bacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties [7,8].
Similarly, synthesis of swarna prashana was also done by
using biological conjugates such as ghee, honey, and herbs.
This will increase the immunity of the infant to acts on path-
ogens, cancer cell, and inflammatory agent [4,9,10].
In swarna prashana, gold particles are encapsulated by
honey, ghee, and herbs, and it helps the gold particles to
form into various size, shape, charges, and composition.
This irregular form of the gold particles in swarna prashana
may induce the non-specific immunity by activating both cel-
lular and humoral immunity [4,9,11,12]. In general, patho-
gens undergo several mutations naturally or induced by man.
Therefore, human system which acquired non-specific immu-
nity will be ready to defend against any pathogens and inflam-
matory substances that enter or develop in our system [13]. It
is evident that gold nanoparticles are efficiently interacting
with the target cells in terms of immunological responses
and cytotoxicity [14].
*Ravikumar Sambandam
ravikumar.sambandam@avmc.edu.in
1
Multi-Disciplinary Centre for Biomedical research,Aarupadai Veedu
Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’sResearch
Foundation (Deemed to be university), Kirumampakkam,
Puducherry 607403, India
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02353-y
/ Published online: 27 August 2020
Biological Trace Element Research (2021) 199:2145–2148

At present, the whole world is facing one of the greatest
pandemics (COVID-19) in a century caused by a novel coro-
navirus. As a result, COVID-19 patient exhibits severe acute
immune response causing cytokine release syndrome and
acute respiratory distress. In the future, to avoid this kind of
pandemic situation, ancient immunization technique, namely,
SBP,couldplayavitalroleindevelopingtheresistance
against any viral disease [15]. SBP not only has the capacity
to attenuate the manifested disease but also produces resis-
tance to the offspring of next generation [3]. The purpose of
this mini-review is to highlight its role, preparations, salient
features, mode of administration, and plausible mechanisms
of SBP in manipulating both cellular and humoral immunity.
Swarna Bindu Prashan
When the swarna bhasma is administered in very low dose for
a particular time, it is known to increase the memory power
along with immunity [4,16]. Swarna prashana is easily ab-
sorbable in oxide form. There are such confusions regarding
the mixing and absorption of swarna bhasma although it is the
simplest form. Then, how come the simple ashudha swarna in
the crude form gets absorbed is a matter of discussion. So
here, swarna may remain unabsorbed in the body and act as
an incompatible substance or binding material by playing a
significant role in the stimulation of the immune system [1,5,
8]. Gold has already proved its immune-modulatory effects
because of its antibacterial action against different organisms,
but when it is mixed with kinds ofhoney and clarified butter, it
widens its spectrum of action to stimulate body immune cells
[4,5,16]. It is administered orally on an empty stomach,
preferably in the early morning. It can be given from birth
up to 16 years of age. It is given with clarified butter and
honey in a dose of two drops up to 6 months and four drops
after 6 months. It can be given daily for a minimum of 30 days
and maximum of 180 days. Alternately, it can be given every
pushya nakshatra (every 28 days) for a minimum of 30 doses
[3,4].
SBP can be administered to all children from day 1 up to
5 years. It will be more beneficial in children with low immu-
nity, low intellect, low memory power, and dyslexia [2,4]. It
is contraindicated among children suffering from fever, dys-
entery, and indigestion, etc.
Properties and Benefits of SBP It enhances the immunity, im-
proves memory intelligence and appetite, and tones up the
skin [4]. As per Kashyapa Samhita, SBP will enhance medha,
bala, agni, aayu, varnya, pavitra, and manglyakarak.
Therapeutically, it is used as ghraha badha and vrushya [17].
Mode of Action SBP Swarna bhasma has moisturizing and
unctuous effect on the body, as its madhura helps as rasayana,
and through detoxification can treat vishamjwara, antra jwara
(Enteric fever), weakness, etc. Scientifically, it has been
proved that swarna bhasma also possesses antioxidant, anti-
depressant, anti-cancerous, antibacterial, and anti-rheumatoid
property and acts as a nerve stimulant [7,16,18,19].
Toxicity Clinical tests revealed that SBP is free from toxicity
as the ingredients used for its preparation are only after their
non-toxic certification [20].
Side Effects Sometimes due to smell of medicine and different
taste, babies may vomit it. Except this, no other side effects
have been reported [1,4,20,21].
Till date, there are no published research data available
regarding its safety and efficacy. But there are few studies
presented in national and international seminars/conferences,
which support its safety and efficacy. Besides, some animal
studies support its safety and efficacy.
Plausible Mechanisms of Swarna Prashana
Swarna prashana is related to the smaller gold particles per-
haps containing wide variation in shapes, sizes, charges, and
bio-molecular compositions [4]. These particles retain high
stability, low toxicity, and immunogenicity conjugation due
to the molecular ingredients found in ghee and honey [21].
The molecular ingredients contain sugars, amino acids, pro-
teins, lipids, vitamins, and other components [10]. Moreover,
these components help in capping the gold particles in swarna
prashan which exhibits multivalent interactions between the
particle and membrane receptor of antigen-presenting cells
(APCs) such as dendritic cells [1,4,8]. Targeting these den-
dritic cells is considered to be one of the efficient strategies in
promoting immunotherapies and vaccine development [8].
Therefore, the plausible mechanism of swarna prashana in
interacting with dendritic cells is as follows: dendritic cells
opt several mechanisms in the internalization of swarna
prashana particles including receptor-mediated endocytosis,
pinocytosis, and phagocytosis [1,4,5,20]. Immature dendrit-
ic cells will uptake and internalize the swarna prashana parti-
cles in the cytosol. As a result, immature dendritic cells dif-
ferentiate into mature dendritic that causes expression of
CD83 and CD86 and also morphological changes in the mat-
uration of the dendritic cells [8] (Fig. 1). The internalized
particles, namely, antigens, are processed in the cytoplasm
and initiate T cell response based on antigen presented
through MHC complex [4,7,19]. Interestingly, swarna
prashana particles comprise of mosaic features in terms of
size, shape, charge, and composition of the particles which
results in intercellular trafficking in dendritic cells [1,4].
Therefore, dendritic cells present multiple antigens effectively
to the T cells [20]. It is believed that the activated dendritic
2146 Nelaturi et al.

cells and T cells require soluble cytokines including IL-7, IL-
6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-23, TNF, and IFN to exhibit immunogenic
response [4,8]. The potential application of swarna prashana
in immunomodulation is the development of both prophylac-
tic and therapeutic vaccine [4,8,19]. Ancient scripts have
suggested that the colloidal preparation of swarna (gold parti-
cles) with honey and ghee would significantly induce robust
immunity like vaccines [4,8,10]. Gold particles are the most
promising ones which do not affect living cells and do not
produce adverse effects [20]. It is believed that gold is used
in ayurvedic, herbal, and herbo-mineral preparations for the
treatment of chronic and degenerative disease without any
side effect [12,13,17]. The advantages of biodegradable gold
particles are utilization in the vaccinated organism, high load-
ing efficiency for the target substance, enhanced ability to
cross various physiological barriers, and low systemic side
effects. In all likelihood, the immune actions of biodegradable
nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles as corpuscular carriers
are similar. The recent data indicating low toxicity of gold
nanoparticles makes it being used in the development of
next-generation vaccines [1,8,16]. However, no extensive
studies on animals or cell lines model are available, and fur-
ther clinical trials are required on interaction of swarna
prashana particles and human functions.
Conclusion
SBP is an immune booster used in pediatrics practice; its safety
and efficacy are well supported by the classical texts of
Ayurveda. In this review, we outlined the plausible mechanisms
of swarna prashana in inducing immune system. It is also be-
lieved in older days that swarna prashana helps the child to grow
up with a better immune system and intellectual performance.
Ayurveda also explains about “vyadhikshamatwam”
(immunomodulation), i.e., the individual’s resistance to any in-
fectious disease which includes both the capacity of attenuation
against manifested disease and resistance to the offspring of the
next generation. It is the ancient immunization technique with
no adverse effect and provides a good life with physical, mental,
and social health. So swarna prashana samskara should be ac-
cepted as immunization program. However, its safety and effi-
cacy need to be validated through systematic methodological
research.
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