Abstract

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) affect over 40% of the global population and represent a substantial health and economic burden. Gandhaga Dravagam (GD) is a classical Siddha mineral-based distillate prepared from sulfur, potassium nitrate, and alum, traditionally indicated for gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, indigestion, and colonic spasm. This study aimed to standardize GD using organoleptic and physicochemical evaluation, qualitative acid-radical and basic-radical tests, elemental analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), as well as to assess its antispasmodic potential against acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions in an isolated rat ileum model. GD was a clear acidic liquid (pH 2.05 at 10% aqueous dilution) with a specific gravity of 1.0142 at 25 °C. Qualitative analysis confirmed carbonate, sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate radicals. ICP-OES identified sulfur (501.254 mg/L) as the predominant element, followed by aluminum (155.341 mg/L), potassium (100.121 mg/L), phosphorus (56.341 mg/L), and sodium (1.320 mg/L); arsenic, mercury, lead, manganese, and magnesium were below detection limits. XRD revealed crystalline inorganic phases consistent with the sulfur-, potassium-, and aluminum-based constituents. At a single concentration (2% v/v), GD reduced ACh-induced contractile responses by 40.74–56.25% across all ACh concentrations tested (5–80 µg), indicating a consistent antispasmodic effect. These findings provide a preliminary analytical and pharmacological characterization of GD and warrant further mechanistic, toxicological, and clinical evaluation.

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