Subacute toxicity of vatsanabha (aconitum ferox, ranunculaceae) collected from different regions of India and Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Aconitum ferox wall is considered as one of the most poisonous plants in the world and well known for its toxicity. The Vatsanabha (Sanskrit terminology) is mentioned as Mahavisha (most toxic) in Ayurveda literature. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the toxic effects of a root of Vatsanabha (A. ferox) aqueous extract on hematological, cardiac, and serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in the heart. Methods: A. ferox crude powder was prepared from tuber root collected from three geographical location: Naradevi root, Sikkim root and Dolpa root and dosed in three groups Naradevi root dosing Group (NRG), Sikkim root dosing group, and Dolpa root dosing group (DRG), respectively. They were orally administered on Wistar albino rat for 28 consecutive days at doses of 1/5th of the respective median lethal dose of dried crude powder per kg body weight in 20 ml of stock solution. Results: The results showed significant changes in serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, high-density lipoprotein in NRG, and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, cardiac parameters-creatinine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase in DRG. Marked pathological changes were perceived in the brain, heart, lungs, and jejunum tissue. Conclusion: The marketed sample shows multiple visceral toxicity and higher altitude sample has greater toxicity on brain and cardiac tissue. This study recommends creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzyme testing: CPK-BB, CPK-MB, etc., on the heart and brain to assess the exact source of the damaged tissue.

Keywords

• aconitum ferox wall
• cardio toxicity
• higher altitude
• vatsanabha