Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences (Sep 2015)
EVALUATION OF TOXICITY OF MUCUNA PRURIENS, CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM, MYRISTICA FRAGRANS AND THEIR COMBINATION ON RENAL, HEPATIC AND CARDIAC PARAMETERS
Abstract
Background: Alternative and traditional medicines are regarded as significant but underemployed means against diseases. Myristica fragrans, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Mucuna pruriens, are among the vital components of herbal medicines used for the treatment of different diseases, including male sexual disorders. However knowledge about their safety is scanty. This study was carried out to evaluate the toxic effects of these drugs, alone and in combination. Material & Methods: This study was conducted on rabbits, divided into treated and control batches. Drugs were administered orally for 90 days daily, and serum biochemical parameters were analyzed on 91st day. Histopathological examination of kidney, liver, and heart were also done. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc. Results: There was no significant difference found in the renal and hepatic parameters, serum proteins and cardiac parameters of treated batches as compared to control (p >0.05). The microscopy of kidney and liver did not show any noteworthy pathology. Pericardium, myocardium, endocardium and cardiac chambers were within normal limits. There was no significant difference in histology of all treated groups i.e. M. pruriens, C. zeylanicum, M. fragrans, and combination groups as compared to control. Conclusion: The drugs were found to be harmless in the doses used in this study in rabbits. However preclinical and clinical research is required to ascertain the safety of these drugs in herbal medicines.
