methods, coupled with the recognition of the role of lipids in many metabolic diseases such as obesity, atherosclerosis, stroke, hypertension and diabetes.

Background Curcumin, quercetin and rutin are flavonoids having strong antioxidant potential, individually used in treatment of numerous ailments. The safety assessment of each of them is already established but no toxicological assessment has been done that would guarantee the safe use of these three flavonoids when used as a polyherbal combination (PHC). The aim of this study to evaluate the possible toxicological effect of polyherbal combination of these three flavonoids in female Swiss albino mice. Methods In acute toxicity study, the oral dose of poly herbal combination was administered to four groups stepwise in single dose and general behaviour, adverse effects and mortality were determined up to 14 days and compared to normal group. In sub-acute study, the tested poly herbal combination was administered orally for 28 days to the four experimental groups and their body weight was measured each alternate day from the first day of dosing. On 29th day the final body weight was recorded and euthanized by using thiopentone sodium, blood was collected and later haematological, lipid profile, biochemical parameter was evaluated and compared to normal group. Result In acute toxicity study, no abnormal general behaviour, adverse effects were reported. No significant changes were reported in body weight, haematological, lipid profile, biochemical parameter in sub-acute toxicity study. No mortality was reported in both the study. Histopathological examination revealed no alterations in clinical signs or organ weight at any dose. Conclusion The result concludes that the oral administration of Polyherbal combination did not produce any significant toxic effect in swiss albino mice. Hence, the Polyherbal combination can be utilized safely for therapeutic use.

Arecacatechu, commonly known as supari, consists of dried ripe nuts that came under Arecaceae family, which is cultivated in the tropical region of India and Southeast Asia. It is a prevalent traditional herbal medicine that is chewed to separate collected fluid in the alimentary canal and for killing worms. Areca catechu seed contains alkaloids (arecoline, arecaine, arecaidine, guvacoline, guvacine, and choline), tannin, gallic acid, gum, and various minerals such as copper, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. The chemical constituents of this plant have been used as antidiabetic, stomatitis, bleeding gums, gingivitis, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, leucorrhoea, urinary disorders, anorexia, diarrhea, blood pressure regulating activity, antiulcerogenic, antioxidant activity, anticonvulsant activity, central nervous system stimulant activity, antifertility, oxytocic activity, antiviral activity, anthelmintic, and foul breath. It showed a dose‐dependent toxicity profile, and various research has been done regarding its safety analysis and it would be considered safe when administered in the prescribed dose. The purpose of the present paper is to make available an up‐to‐date review on the ethnic, traditional description, morphology, phytochemistry, and the pharmacological and toxicological profile of this plant. Furthermore, the possible advances, trends, and a perspective for forthcoming research of this plant have also conversed.

BackgroundSericin is a widely used protein in the pharmaceutical industry derived from the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and used for the treatment of various diseases and pathological conditions. It is the main ingredient of the Unani preparation khameera abresham. The study was conducted to evaluate the preclinical toxicity of the silk protein sericin in mice.MethodsIn the acute toxicity study, sericin was administered once orally to different groups of animals at doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg. Animals were observed for 14 days. In the sub-acute toxicity study, sericin was administered in mice for 4 weeks in the toxic group at doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg, while in the recovery group it was administered for 4 weeks at doses of 500 and 2000 mg/kg followed by 2 weeks of distilled water administration.ResultsIn the acute toxicity study, the observed parameters showed no significant difference, and no mortality was reported. In the sub-acute toxicity study, there were no toxicological effects in any of the estimated parameters, while histopathological analysis showed inflammation in vital organs at the dose of 2000 mg/kg.ConclusionsResults of our acute toxicity study suggest that sericin is safe at all administered doses, while the sub-acute study suggests that the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) of sericin is below 2000 mg/kg, at which it can be considered safe.

Context: Anaemia is a common pregnancy related disorder in Bangladesh that causes various maternal and fetal problems. A prospective study was designed to see the associated maternal factors and fetal outcome in different categories of anaemia and to compare with that of normal pregnancy. Methods: The study was carried out on 60 Bangladeshi women within 35-40 weeks of gestation. Among them, 20 with normal uncomplicated pregnancies were considered as control group or group A, another 27 having pregnancies with mild anaemia were considered as group B, and 13 having pregnancies with moderate anaemia were considered as group C. Severe anaemic mothers were considered as group D, but not found during the period of collection of data for this study. The mothers were selected as who were suffering from antenatal anaemia i.e. having heamoglobin level <10 gm/dl (mild, if <10 gm/dl; moderate, if <8 gm/dl; and severe, if <6 gm/dl) and control i.e. having heamoglobin level ≥10 gm/dl. The foetal outcome was observed and recorded after delivery.