Research Gist
This exploratory human study examined whether gold from a single dose of Swarna Bhasma could be detected in the bloodstream. Three healthy 27-year-old men each received one different regimen: 30 mg sublingually, 30 mg orally with black pepper and cow ghee, or 240 mg orally with the same accompaniments.
Blood samples collected over four hours were analysed using ICP-MS. Trace gold was detected after all three regimens. The highest observed concentration occurred after the 30 mg sublingual dose, while the 30 mg oral dose reached its peak fastest. The findings provide preliminary evidence of systemic gold exposure, but the extremely small design prevents reliable comparisons between doses or administration routes.
Key Learnings
- The study included only three healthy male participants, with one participant assigned to each regimen.
- The tested regimens were 30 mg sublingual Swarna Bhasma, 30 mg oral Swarna Bhasma with 250 mg black pepper and 2.5 g cow ghee, and 240 mg orally with the same accompaniments.
- Blood was collected before dosing and at 1, 2 and 4 hours, then analysed for total gold using ICP-MS.
- The 30 mg sublingual dose produced the highest reported concentration: Cmax 0.983 μg/L at 2 hours.
- The 30 mg oral regimen reached its peak fastest: Cmax 0.867 μg/L at 1 hour. The 240 mg oral regimen reached 0.668 μg/L at 2 hours.
- The higher 240 mg dose did not produce a higher measured blood concentration, but a dose-response conclusion cannot be made because each regimen was tested in only one person.
- The study measured total elemental gold, not its chemical or particulate form, and included no dedicated assessment of clinical efficacy, long-term exposure or safety.
