Tal sindoor: an in vivo study

Tal Sindoor is one of Ayurvedic metallic preparations processed by Kupipakwa method (special processing). As per the present day scenario intake of formulations prepared with heavy metals like mercury and mineral compound like arsenic trisulphide are considered highly toxic. Tal Sindoor is prepared with Shuddh (purified) Parad (mercury), Gandhak (sulphur) and Haratal (arsenic trisulphide). With the myth that Rasoushadhis (metallic preparations) are toxic, the need for the study was persuade to elucidate the safety of diligently processed Tal Sindur at therapeutic dose prescribed in classics. Study was conducted for 14days on Wistar strain albino rats. Selected Wistar strain albino rats were divided into two groups. Group-I being vehicle control group, albino rats were administered with 0.5ml of compound consisting of 3 parts of de-ionized water and 2 parts of honey. Group-II rats were administered with 0.5ml of compound vortexes with test compound Tal Sindoor at therapeutic dose of 250mg/Kg/day in 3 parts of de-ionized water and 2 parts of honey. During or after the study either morbidity or mortality was not observed. Food and water intake, body weight, normal activity, behavioural changes and other toxicological changes were evaluated daily for both groups during administration of drugs. After the study haemotological, biochemical parameters, lipid-peroxidation and histopathological changes were evaluated for both the groups. Statistics of body weight and above mentioned parameters were not significant. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney revealed normal histology for both groups.