Safety profile of Naga Bhasma prepared by two classical methods

Abstract

Abstract Background: Naga Bhasma (NB) (incinerated lead) has been indicated as a remedy for the treatment of a wide range of diseases including Prameha (diabetes), Kasa (cough), Raktapradara (menorrhagia), Shukradosha (defects in semen), etc., However, improperly prepared NB can cause harmful effects on the human body. In modern science also, lead consumption has been accepted to produce toxicity. Aim: The present study was undertaken to elucidate and compare the toxicity profile of two samples of NB prepared by two different methods to ascertain the safety aspects. Materials and methods: In the first method, NB was prepared by using Parada (mercury), Gandhaka (sulfur), and Nimbu Swarasa (juice of Citrus medica var acida of Watt). In the second method, NB was prepared by using Ashwattha-Twaka-Churna (Ficus religiosa L.), Manahshila (realgar) (Ariloha), and Nimbu Swarasa. In both methods, 30 calcination cycles were given. Charles foster albino rats were used for the pharmacological study. Acute oral toxicity study was carried out as per organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) 425 and chronic oral toxicity study was carried out as per OECD 408 (90-day oral repeated dose toxicity study). Acute oral toxicity study was conducted at five dose levels, namely 100, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg body weight. Chronic toxicity was carried out at a dose level of 62.5 mg/kg body weight. Animals were sacrificed on the 91st day by cervical dislocation. Blood was collected from the jugular vein and sent for hematological and biochemical investigations were done. Organs were used for histopathological studies. The data were analyzed by unpaired t-test. Results: No mortality was observed in the acute toxicity study. Chronic toxicity study shows that both the test drugs do not produce significant toxicity, but both were not completely free from adverse effects at the dose level studied. Conclusion: The study shows that both the test drugs do not produce significant toxicity, but they are not completely free from adverse effects at the dose level studied.