Toxicology International (Formerly Indian Journal of Toxicology)

Galib Ruknuddin ¹, B. J. Patgiri ¹, P. K. Prajapati ¹, B. K. Ashok ², B. Ravishankar ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, IN
2 Drug Discovery Group, R&D Centre, The Himalaya Drug Company, Makali, Bangalore, IN
3 SDM Centre for Research in Ayurveda and Allied Sciences, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Introduction: Arthritis is the most common cause of disability, limiting the activities of adults throughout the world. Apart from the conventional treatment strategies using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and glucocorticoids, newer and safer drugs are continuously being searched, as long-term usage of these drugs have resulted in adverse effects. Besides this, currently a number of medicinal plants are under scientific evaluation to develop a promising remedy in these cases. There is a need to investigate the complete therapeutic potential of these herbals for providing newer and safer treatment options with minimum side effects. Considering this, a polyherbal Ayurvedic compound formulation (Dashanga Ghana) has been studied in experimental animals to evaluate anti-arthritic activity. Materials and Methods: Dashanga Ghana has been prepared in the laboratory by following standard guidelines. Charles Foster albino rats were used to evaluate the activity through Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis model. Results and Conclusions: Dashanga Ghana is found to possess significant anti-arthritic activity. Further studies are required to identify and characterize exact active phyto-constituents and to elucidate the exact mechanism of action, which is responsible for the observed pharmacological profile.

Keywords

Arthritis, Ayurveda, Dashanga Ghana, Freund’s Adjuvant, Paw Oedema.

Full Text

     

Dipali Parekh ¹, Om Pandey ¹, Mukesh Nariya ², Swapnil Chudhri ¹, B. J. Patgiri ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaisajya Kalpana, ITRA, Jamnagar – 361001, Gujarat, IN
2 Pharmacology Department, ITRA, Jamnagar – 361001, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

Shodhita Haratala (processed orpiment) is a single ingredient of Rasamanikya (RM). Arsenicals are known for producing toxic effects in humans, if not processed as per classical text therefore, the present study was aim to generate data for the safety of RM in albino rats. In the present study, two samples of RM were prepared by using two different purification media of orpiment, i.e., juice of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cong. and lime water. Extract of Tinospora cordifolia Linn. (GG) was used as an adjuvant. Both the samples of RM along with GG were administered to the albino rats for 60 consecutive days at the therapeutic dose, TED (90 mg/kg) and TED×5 (450 mg/kg) orally in albino rats. Sample of RM along with GG not having the potential to produce any mutagenic or genotoxicity effects in albino rats. Further, there is no significant difference found in the safety of the orpiment on changing of media for purification.

Keywords

Chromosomal Aberration, Genotoxicity, Orpiment, Rasamanikya, Safety.

Full Text

     

S. Mahesh ¹, Swapnil Y. Chaudhary ², Mukeshkumar Nariya ³, B. J. Patgiri ²

Affiliations
1 Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Patiala, Punjab –147001, IN
2 Department of Rasasatra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar – 361008, Gujarat, IN
3 Pharmacology Department, Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar – 361008, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

Vatavidhvamsana Rasa (VVR)is a famous herbomineral formulation containing various processed metals, minerals and herbals and is mainly used in treating neurological and muscular diseases. Herbomineral formulations in Ayurveda are always under scrutiny for safety aspects due to the presence of heavy metals. This study is an attempt to evaluate the safety of Vatavidhvamsana Rasa through acute toxicity and 90 days repeated dose toxicity. The oral acute toxicity study of VVR was accomplished in Wistar albino rats at a limit dose of 2000 mg/ kg. The oral repeated dose toxicity study (90 days) of VVR was carried out by administering VVR with honey at therapeutically equivalent dose (22.5 mg/kg), TEDx5 (112.5 mg/kg) and TEDx10 (225 mg/kg) dose levels. One recovery group (225 mg/kg) was kept for observation for 30 days after the treatment period. Vatavidhvamsana Rasa did not produce any observable toxic effects during acute toxicity study. There were also no significant behavioural changes during the entire duration of the acute study and all animals survived during the 14 days of observation. This implicates that the LD50 value of Vatavidhvamsana Rasa would be more than 2000 mg/kg by oral route. In chronic toxicity study, Vatavidhvamsana Rasa with honey as adjuvant given at different dose levels had not produce any major adverse effects in albino rats during the study period of 90 days along with a recovery period of 30 days. VVR at higher dose showed no significant changes in histopathology, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. At higher dose level of VVR at TEDx10 for 90 days, drug has potential to produce changes in liver and kidney related parameters. From the above data, it can be concluded that VVR with honey administered orally in rats was found to be safe in acute toxicity study and also at therapeutic dose level during chronic toxicity study in albino rats.

Keywords

Acute Toxicity, Chronic Toxicity, Heavy Metal Toxicity, Herbominerals, Vatavidhvamsana Rasa

Full Text