Abstract

VARNYA KARMA OF VATA AND SHIREESHA VALKALAS WSR TO ANTITYROSINASE ACTIVITY

Dr. Sneha Shaji*, Dr. Namita Dinesh Kalgutkar, Dr. Shivaram N. G. and Dr. Lalitha B. R.

ABSTRACT

Beauty is a subject of socio-medical importance. Fair complexion has become a barometer of beauty.[1] The primary determinant of variability of human skin colour is depending on the distribution of melanin pigment. Tyrosinase is known to be a key enzyme for melanin biosynthesis, overactivity of which leads to hyper pigmentary conditions like melasma, freckles etc. Treatment of such conditions with synthetic cosmetic compounds have some limitations like poor skin penetration, causing adverse effects like contact dermatitis, photo allergic reactions, ochronosis etc. Words “Varna”, “Prabha”, “Chaya” which are mentioned in Ayurveda are innate entities of beauty and the term varnya includes all the parameters of healthy and radiant skin. Ayurveda has an ample number of formulations or medicaments with herbal and mineral drugs for varnya activity. Vata and Shireesha are among these drugs which are mentioned as Varnya and are available in abundance. Hence an attempt is made to compare the efficacy of varnya karma of Vata valkala and Shireesha valkala through In-vitro model of Mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay, which is one among the valid, reliable, standard modern parameters even today.

Keywords: Varna, Prabha, Beauty, Vata, Shireesha.