Evaluation of Acute and Long-term Toxicity of Siddha Formulation Annabethi Chendhuram

Abstract

Introduction: Annabethi Chendhuram is extensively used for the treatment of anaemia by Siddha practitioners. But concerns about the safety of drugs are raised in the current era due to a lack of scientific validation. Aim: The present study was conducted to determine the acute and long-term toxicity of Annabethi chendhuram. Methods: Acute and long-term toxicity of Annabethi chendhuram were evaluated as per WHO guidelines in Wistar albino rats. In the acute study, 250mg/kg.b.wt of test drug was given for animals then observed for any toxic signs and mortality up to 14 days. In a long-term toxicity study, a test drug was administered at the dose of 25, 125 and 250mg/kg/b.wt/p.o/day for animals up to 90 days and observed for mortality and morbidity. All animals were sacrificed at the end of the study. Haematology, biochemical parameters and histopathological examination were analyzed. Result: In the acute toxicity study, no toxic signs or death were observed in all animals. In the long-term toxicity study, no significant differences were observed in body weight changes, food intake, water intake, haematology, biochemical parameters and histopathology of both control and test groups. Conclusion: The study result concludes that the long-term oral administration of 250 mg/kg.b.wt of Annabethi chendhuram did not cause any toxic effect in rats. So, the drug is safe for human consumption.