A Pre-clinical Study of Jeerakadi Lepa against Indian Red Scorpion Venom Poisoning

Abstract

Scorpion stings are very common in India, especially in the Konkan region of Maharashtra state. Scorpion stings show various signs and symptoms. A preclinical study to validate the efficacy of an Ayurvedic preparation called Jeerakadi Lepa was done in Swiss albino mice. A total of 18 Swiss albino mice (n = 18) were divided into 3 groups: the control group (n = 6), the standard group (n = 6) and the experimental group (n = 6). Only Indian red scorpion venom was administered by the SC route in the control group. In contrast, the venom was administered by SC in the standard group, followed by an oral tablet. Prazosin, and in the experimental group, the venom was administered by SC route, followed by local Jeerakadi Lepa. Kruskal-Wallis’s test was applied at a 95% confidence interval to assess various toxicity parameters like lacrimation, salivation, etc. The P-value was 0.04433 in toxicity symptoms (P < 0.05), but it was 0.3366 (P > 0.05) in the number of deaths of Swiss albino mice in the above groups. It was concluded that Jeerakadi Lepa effectively eliminated all the signs and symptoms of toxicity due to scorpion venom in Swiss albino mice. Still, it should not be used independently among humans.