Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDIZATION OF NOVEL SIDDHA FORMULATION AATHISESHA VISHAHARA MAATHIRAI FOR THE TREATMENT OF SNAKE ENVENOMATION

S. Vanathi*, J. Kanimozhi, A. M. Dharsana and P. Shanmugapriya

ABSTRACT

Snake envenomation is considered to be one of the most important global health issues and snakebite remains an underestimated cause of accidental death in modern India. Because a large proportion of global totals of snakebites arise from India. It is estimated that in India alone, there are more than 2, 00,000 venomous bites per year, of which 35,000–50,000 are fatal. Globally, traditional healers are practicing siddha preparations to cure snake envenomations. Siddha system of medicine has number of formulations which are effective against snake bite. One such novel formulation is Aathisesha vishahara maathirai (AVM), however, the documentation on standardization of such formulation is very minimal, as a measure of understanding the current need of drug standardization the present study was undertaken to prepare and systematically standardize the formulation AVM by sophisticated instrumentation techniques as per AYUSH guidelines. The results obtained from physiochemical analysis clearly reveals that total ash value of AVM is about 8.40% in which acid insoluble ash is 0.35%. Extraction value of drugs renders most significant information about partition of the active component the results of extract value study shows that alcohol soluble extract of AVM is 5.89% and water soluble extract is 6.99%. Similarly disintegration time of AVM is 21 mins and uniformity of weight is about 0.704 gms. Phytochemical evaluation of AVM shows the presence of bio-active phyto components such as alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, polyphenols and proteins. Results of ICPMS analysis reveals the presence of arsenic, mercury and cadmium within the prescribed limit. Total bacterial count of AVM was< 250 CFU/G and total fungal count was < 20 CFU/G further with respect to the toxins there is an absence of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2was observed from the results. It is essential for a formulation to be free from pesticide residues in order to ensure this AVM was subjected to GC MS and LC MS analysis and the results clearly indicates that pesticide level in AVM is below the limit of quantification (BLQ). From the results of the study it was concluded that the formulation like AVM may act as a potential antidote for snake venom and the efficacy of the drug relies on the presence of potential phytocomponents.

Keywords: Snake envenomation, Aathisesha vishahara maathirai, Disintegration, uniformity of weight, Phytochemical, Physicochemical, aflatoxin, ICPMS.