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Introduction

Ayurveda is unique medical science that considers every molecule in the world is having medicinal properties if used in correct way. Similarly Samanya- Vishesh Siddhanta of Ayurveda advocates using any substance that have similar property as of any bodily substance. When there is depletion of Sneha in body, Sneha from plant or animal origin is used. Vasa is one such Sneha Ayurveda have indicated for specific reasons. Vasa is the unctuous substance derived fron the Shuddha Mamsa. It is an UpaDhatu of MamsaDhatu. According to Indu Mamsa is considered as Vasasaya. In Ayurvedic literature and in traditional practices in India various references of use of Vasa are found but still is used very rarely and for very least indications. In Ayurveda Varaha Vasa is considered as Agrya i.e. best to be used. Vasa obtained from Varaha Mamsa is called Varaha Vasa.

Vasa is actually Intramuscular or intermuscular Fat:  Fat inside the skeletal muscle is known as intra muscular fat whereas intermuscular fat is fat between muscle groups and within a muscle found beneath the fascia of a muscle. Both are considered as Vasa as per Ayurveda. Intramuscular fat is mainly triglycerides stored in adipose cells embedded in the perimysial connective tissue wall of the muscle. As meat is cooked, triglycerides melt and bathe the muscle fibers and can be seen as droplets floating over water used for cooking.[1] Intra muscular fat (IMF) content of an animal varies due to several factors. Among which the most important are species, muscles, sex, weight, age and nuitritional level. The IMF content is conventionally determined chemically by extraction using different organic solvent. Various methods are used for IMF content determination and extraction.

IMF content determination:          

a) Near infrared spectroscopy analysis

Fresh meat samples about 100 gm were homogenised in a domestic blender for at least 30 s inorder to obtain a homogenous mixture. Samples were then put in a rectangular quartz cup (47x57 mm2) about 3mm thick, covered by a paper disc placed directly in the NIR apparatus. The samples were scanned with an NIR system model 6500 spectrophotometer in a range from 400 to 2500 nm.

b) Reference method (Ether extraction)

 The gold standard for crude fat extraction is ether extraction using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Method. Petroleum ether or diethyl ether can be used as the extraction solvent using this method. Petroleum ether is less volatile compared to diethyl ether. It has a low boiling point (35 to 37°C) and contains mostly hexanes and pentanes. Petroleum ether is a nonpolar, hydrophobic solvent. Solvent extraction works by breaking van der Waals interactions, electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. Neutral lipids then hydrophobically bond to the nonpolar solvent and are extracted from the sample. The amount of lipid extraction depends on the solubility of the different types of lipids present within the sample. Nonpolar solvents are extracting nonpolar lipids and vice versa.

c) Folch method of Extraction: The Folch method of extraction was developed by Folch et al. (1957). Folch uses a mixture of extraction solvents chloroform and methanol as a 2:1 ratio. This mixture of extraction solvents works the same way as ether in that they break van der Waals interactions, electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds and soluble lipids are extracted by the solvents .2:1 chloroform and methanol is used in a two step extraction .The first step homogenizes the sample with the solvent mixture and then filtered, extracting about 95% of the total tissue lipids. The second step involves a water or salt solution wash. This wash separates the lipids in the lower phase while some highly polar lipids are lost in the upper phase.

d) CEM method of Extraction: The CEM SMART Trac system uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to determine total lipid content based on low-resolution time-domain NMR. This system does not use any chemical solvents nor does it extract any components from the sample. Nuclear magnetic resonance uses magnetic field to detect radio frequencies admitted from hydrogen nuclei (H+ or protons) of different food components are distinguished by each components different rates of decay or nuclear relaxation. Liquid protons produce a slower signal which means they relax slowly or disappear last compared to other components in meat. Of those liquid components, lipids relax the slowest, giving off the last signal which is detected by the machine. Total fat content is determined by the intensity of the signal. Signal intensity is directly proportional to the number of lipid protons.

e) Boiling method: Meat is boiled in appropriate quantity of water and allowed to cool. The superficial layer, which appears as white coloured globules, is taken as IMF. Minimum amount of IMF can be extracted by this method. However boiling method is easy to use and widely practiced by ayurvedic practitioners who use Vasa in treatment.

Composition of Fatty acid

it is consist of Saturate fat, MUFA , PUFA , Cholesterol Mg/100gm, n-6/n-3, P/S.

Table no. 1 Composition of Fatty acid in Pig Meat[2]:

Table no. 2 Physicochemical standards of Varaha Vasa Sneha (pork meat fat)[3]:

Ayurvedic perspective of Vasa Sneha:

VasaSneha is described in general in context of MahaSneha where Vasa is termed as Guru as compared to Taila -Ghrita and Laghu as compared to Majja. There lies a great difference in properties of Vasa and Meda though both are basically animal fats.

Difference between Meda and Vasa: Meda according to Ayurveda is a Dhatu formed after Mamsa in sequence as per Kshira-Dadhi Nyaya. And it seen that the later formed Dhatu is Guru than the previous one. Vasa is not a Dhatu but is considered as UpaDhatu of Mamsa i.e. it is formed after Mamsa but before Meda. Hence it is Laghu as compared to Meda. Subcutaneous fat can be compared with Meda Dhatu specifically whereas intramuscular and intermuscular fat can be taken under heading of Vasa. Thus there lies a significant difference in properties of both these fat depots as per Ayurveda. Modern literature also reconfirms these facts. There is significant evidence that the lipids of muscle have a lower content of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared to subcutaneous fat. Intramuscular fat also have the highest PUFA/SFA and fatty acids ratios and total omega -3 and omega-6 PUFAs compared to subcutaneous tissue depots.[4]

Many studies have reported that replacing saturated fat and transfatty acids with unsaturated fat, especially n-3 fatty acids, is more effective in lowering the risk of coronary heart disease than simply reducing total fat consumption.[5] These scientific evidences proves the claim of Ayurvedic literature that Vasa is Laghu than Meda and thus in MahaSneha also Ayurveda have included Vasa instead of direct use of Meda Dhatu though subcutaneous fat is easy to collect by boiling method.

Table no. 3 Sources of VasaSneha and their properties according to Ayurveda are as follows,[6]

Indications of Vasa Sneha are as follows.[7]

1. Wounds
2. Fractures
3. Trauma
4. Prolapse of uterus
5. Earache
6. Headache
7. To increase virility
8. For those who are exposed to severe wind, sun and having dryness in body
9. For those who are emaciated by carrying heavy weight.
10. For those in whom Retas, Rakta and Kapha are decreased
11. For those having severe pain in bones, joint, vessels, muscles, vital parts and alimentary tract.
12. In whom the highly provoked Vata, becomes Avrita in Srotasa
13. For those having good Agnibala.
14. For those having Vasa-satmya.

Use of Vasa according to Ayurveda can be done in the form of Shamana or Brimhana Sneha as seen from the indications. However external application is also effective and used traditionally locally in cases of senile non healing fractures, compression fractures etc. Vasanjana is also an unique formulation of VasaSneha indicated in Shushkakshipaka and seems to have promising result as seen by previous researches.[8] Acharya Vagbhata have advocated using Vasa derived from Tiger, Pork, Snake, vulture and Chicken for Anjana Purpose.[9] For Tarpana purpose he advocates peacock, chicken, Tittira, Godha, Vichhalyak Vasa.[10] Vagbhata is so confident about the potency of Snake Vasa that he describes as if Snake Vasa is used as Anjana then even a blind person also can get vision.[11]

The properties of Varaha Vasa is similar to that of Varaha mamsa [12] as below,

Ayurvedic Properties:

Rasa:    Madhura

Guna:    Snigdha, guru

Virya:    Sheeta

Vipaka: Madhura

Doshaghnata Vata Shamana

Karma:  Bhrimhana, Vrishya, Balavardhaka, Rochana, Swedana, Snehana, Tarpana, Sramahara etc

Discussion

Traditional practices using Vasa Sneha- 1. Vasa of Saara hardwickii, commonly known as the Indian spiny-tailed lizard (traditionally called Sanda) is used as an embrocation and also as a cure for impotence.[13]

2.livers of Gadus morhua and other species of cod i.e. Cod liver oil is used to relieve complaints such as rheumatism, aching joints, and stiff muscles. cod liver oil contains large amounts of vitamins A, D, and omega-3 fatty acids.[14] Pharmaceutical preparations of this oil are used to treat acne vulgaris and keratosis pilaris and to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia.[15] beside liver oil is also extracted from whole fish which is known as fish oil. Fish oils include the omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA), eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA).[16]

3.  Emu bird (Dromaius novaehollandiae) Oil is used traditionally for treatment of Wrinkles and fine lines, Stretch marks, Arthritis, Eczema, Acne, Hair loss, Headaches, Bruises, Burns etc. And also have shown anti-inflammatory properties in experimental animal models.[17]

4. animal fat of spotted dear is used by tribes in India to apply on burns and rub on piles. Pig fat is applied in paralysis, joints pain, burns and fracture. Fox & panther fat is massaged in the treatment of rheumatism and skin diseases.[18]

Conclusion

Considering all the researches and references of use of Vasa Sneha it points towards importance of research in the field of Vasa Sneha and need of reconfirmation of its wide range of medicinal properties. Though its use in medicine is surely a cruelty to certain extent to the animals but still the potency of Vasa Sneha can not be overlooked and at least Vasa of those animals which are part of food habits of Indian population can be considered surely for medicinal use.