SAFETY EVALUATION STUDY OF RASAKARPURA (A MERCURIAL MEDICINE OF AYURVED) AT THERAPEUTIC DOSE LEVEL IN CHARLES FOSTER ALBINO RATS
Mehta N. J., Ashok B. K. , 3B.Ravishankar, Prajapati P. K.
ABSTRACT
Rasakarpura is a mercurial Ayurvedic formulation prepared by using
Parada (Mercury), Gandhakamla (Sulphuric Acid) and Saindhava
Lavana (Rock salt). It is used internally and externally to treat diseases.
As the chemical composition of Rasakarpura is being Mercuric
Chloride, there can be apprehensions about its safety. As a preliminary
study, repeated dose toxicity of Rasakarpura on oral administration
was carried out at therapeutically effective dose (TED) in Charles
Foster strain albino rats in comparison with standard Mercuric
chloride. The effect of drug administration was noted on the ponderal,
biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters. The
difference between the groups was statistically determined by student’s
t test (unpaired) with the significance at P<0.05. Chronic
administration of Rasakarpura lead to some changes in haematological
and serum biochemical parameters while normal cytoarchitecture was observed in almost all
the organs studies except testis. In contrast in mercuric chloride administered group along
significant alteration was occurred in majority of the parameters recorded. This preliminary
study shows at therapeutic dose level both Rasakarpura and mercuric chloride have toxic potential, however Rasakarpura has comparatively very less tendency to produce toxicity. So
Rasakarpura has to be administered very cautiously with adequate dilutions and proper
vehicles and combinations.
Keywords: Rasakarpura, Mercuric chloride, Mercury, Parada, Toxicity
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