Analytical insights into the detoxification process and characterization of a traditional metallopharmaceutical formulation.

Metallopharmaceuticals possess unique medicinal properties and have been used since ancient times. In spite of the inclusion of several metals and minerals, there is an increased interest in metallo-drugs for clinical and research purposes because of their immense therapeutic efficiency and non-toxic claim, as they are processed in addition to specific poly herbals. Sivanar Amirtham is one of the traditional metallopharmaceuticals used in Siddha medicine to treat various respiratory diseases and other ailments, including antidote therapy for poisonous bites. The present research work attempted to formulate the metallodrug preparation as per the standard protocols, including the detoxification process of the raw materials, followed by the analytical characterization studies to evaluate the physicochemical properties responsible for the stability, quality, and efficacy. The study included the comparative analysis of the raw materials, processed samples, intermediate samples, finished products, and commercial samples to understand the science involved in detoxification and formulation processing. The appropriate product profile was developed based on analysis of the particle size and surface charge by Zeta sizer, morphology and distribution by SEM-EDAX, functional groups and chemical interactions by FTIR, thermal behavior and stability by TG-DSC, crystallinity by XRD, and elemental composition by XPS. The findings of the research could provide scientific proof of evidence to overcome the limitations of the product owing to the standard quality and safety concern of the metal-mineral constituents, such as mercury, sulphur, and arsenic in the polyherbomineral formulation.

"FLAMES: A novel burning entity in MOG IgG associated disease".

FLAMES is a new clinico-radiological sub entity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated disease (MOGAD). FLAMES is characterized by fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging showing hyperintense cortical lesions, in MOG associated Encephalitis with Seizures. MOGAD usually presents with optic neuritis, myelitis or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and such rare focal cortical encephalitis like presentation can be mistaken as due to viral aetiology. FLAMES can present with unilateral or bilateral cortical encephalitis and we report a case where magnetic resonance angiography, susceptibility weighted imaging and perfusion studies were done and the utility of these additional imaging markers in diagnosing FLAMES is discussed.