Acute Toxicity Profiles of Siddha Medicine Sivanarvembu kuzhi thylam on Rats

Abstract

Siddha medicated oil Sivanarvembu kuzhi thylam is used in the management of various skin diseases such as leucoderma, leprosy, eczema, infected wounds, insect bites and boils. Ingredients of this formulation are roots of Indigofera aspalathoides, tubers of Corallocarpus epigaeus and seeds of Celastrus paniculatus. The present study aims to prepare the oil and to evaluate its safety and toxicity profiles by performing heavy metal analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) through in vitro assays and carrying out in vivo acute toxicity studies in female Wistar rats. AAS results revealed that the heavy metals were present only in the below detectable level. In-vitro assay results clearly showed that the aqueous extract of selected drugs showed no toxicity in the healthy PBMCs at various concentrations. It was also observed that PBMCs showed an increase in cell proliferation at higher concentrations of each extract which also suggests that the selected drug may have a positive effect on cell survivability. No mortality was observed in the treated group of rats throughout the observation period of 14 days in acute toxicity studies. Based on the results of the research study, it is concluded that SVKT will not produce any toxic effects. . The acute oral LD50 of test substance was observed to be greater than 2000 mg/kg b.w. Based on the results of the research study, it is concluded that SVKT does not produce any toxic effects.