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Svarna - vanga - a short duration toxicity study.
1Dept. of Rasa Shastra, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221 005, India.
Ancient Science of Life
|May 5, 2012
Summary
This study investigated the toxicity of Swarna-Vanga, an Ayurvedic medicine. Swarna-Vanga showed no toxic effects in animal tissues at therapeutic doses, indicating its safety for intended use.
Area of Science:
- Ayurvedic medicine
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Swarna-Vanga is an Ayurvedic preparation used for genitor-urinary, metabolic, and respiratory disorders.
- The drug contains tin, sulfur, mercury, iron, and aluminum, raising concerns about potential toxicity.
- Ayurvedic principles suggest processed metals are non-toxic or least toxic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen the toxic effects of Swarna-Vanga (SV) in an animal model.
- To evaluate safety at doses ranging from therapeutic to supra-therapeutic levels.
Main Methods:
- A 14-day animal experiment was conducted.
- Increasing doses of Swarna-Vanga were administered, starting from the maximum therapeutic dose (12.5 mg/100 gm body weight/day).
- Tissue toxicity was assessed at various dose levels.
Main Results:
- No toxic effects were observed in animal tissues at doses of 12.5 mg and 25 mg/100 gm body weight/day.
- Minor effects, including fine fatty vacuolization in the liver and focal mucosal degeneration/necrosis in the small intestine, were noted in single animals at higher doses (50 mg and 100 mg/100 gm body weight/day).
Conclusions:
- Swarna-Vanga demonstrated no toxic effects on animal tissues at the therapeutic dose.
- The study supports the Ayurvedic claim of safety for processed metallic preparations like Swarna-Vanga at recommended dosages.
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