TOXICOLOGICAL STUDY OF SURYASHEKHARA RASA

Abstract

Suryashekhara Rasa is unique mercurial preparation, which contains Parada, Gandhaka, Hingula and Vatsanabha. The quantity of Vatsanabha is equal to the sum of other ingredients, and also its antidote (Tankana) is not mentioned in this formulation. To ensure that the drug is devoid of toxicity and harmful effects, assessing the level of toxicity is important. So, this research work is an attempt to perform acute and sub-acute toxicity evaluation of Suryashekhara Rasa. Acute toxicity study of test drug was carried at a limit dose of 2000mg/kg orally in albino mice. For sub-acute toxicity Suryashekhara rasa was adminis-tered at therapeutic equivalent dose (TED) (0.35mg/kg bw po), TED x 2 (0.70mg/kg bw po) TED x 5 (1.75 mg/kg bw po) for 28 days. Acute toxicity result showed that drug did not produce any signs and symptoms of toxicity or mortality up to an oral dose of 2000 mg/kg in albino mice. The data generated during sub-acute toxicity study are indicated that it is mild toxic substance for sub-acute administration at TED dose level, may be because of alkanes which are found in functional group of aconitum ferox.