Toxicity Studies of Sidha Medicine - Rasagandhi Mezhugu

ABSTRACT

Sidha medicines which are popular in Southern parts of India have significant quantity of heavy metals. It is claimed that mode of preparation of these drugs reduces their toxicities. However toxicity studies of Sidha preparations are seldom carried out. In the present study we have evaluated toxicity of Rasagandhi Mezhugu (RM), a Sidha preparation in Wistar rats. Drug was administered orally as single dose (acute) and sixty doses (chronic). Parameters checked were WBC count, haemoglobin and differential count, hepatic function tests such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, bilirubin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total protein, albumin, globulin and renal function tests such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride. No impairment in hepatic, renal, haemopoietic functions were observed throughout the study. Histopathological analysis revealed that liver, kidney, spleen and thymus tissues of treated groups did not show any signs of toxicity. However, astrocytes showed mild hyperplasia, stroma showed oedema in the treated group. Cerebellum also shows stromal oedema. Rasagandhi Mezhugu (RM) administration for one year to HIV patients did not produce any toxicity as seen from liver function and renal function as well as analyzing haematological parameters. Analysis of the metal content in the tissues of RGM treated rats for one month indicated that there was significant accumulation of mercury and copper in the tissues, which indicate that RGM administration for long period of times can produce heavy metal toxicity which is also indicated in histopathological analysis.

Keywords: