Determination of Heavy Metal, Aflatoxin, Pesticide Residue and Microbial content of Siddha Polyherbal Formulation Veppampoo mathirai

Abstract

Aim: Although the polyherbal siddha formulation veppampoo Mathirai is effective at lowering blood pressure, its safety is unknown. Heavy metals, aflatoxins, pesticide residue, and microbial count have not yet been evaluated. The parameters listed above were evaluated in the current study. The present study was aimed to evaluate the safety parameters (heavy metal, aflatoxin, pesticide residue and microbial profile) of Veppampoo Mathirai and the objective was to determine whether the above parameters of VPM were within normal limits as per AYUSH guidelines. Materials and Methods: According to AYUSH [Ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, naturopathy] Pharmacopoeial laboratory for Indian medicine (PLIM) guidelines, the formulation was evaluated for its safety parameters at Noble research solutions, kolathur, Chennai, accredited with ISO 9001: 2015. Heavy metals were tested using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), and aflatoxins were tested using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Pesticide residues were determined using GC/MS, and microbial counts were determined using the pour plate method. Results: The presence of heavy metals mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium was found to be within the recommended limit as per AYUSH Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine Guidelines, while Aflatoxin, pesticide residues, and microbes were not found in the sample, indicating that the formulation Veppampoo Mathirai (VPM) was toxicity-free. Conclusion: According to AYUSH's PLIM criteria, heavy metal level was below the acceptable limit in VPM. Aflatoxins and pesticide residues were not found in the current batch of VPM, whereas microorganisms and particular pathogens were not present. As a result, the current research confirms that the formulation is safe for therapeutic use.