Tissue distribution of mercury and copper after Aarogyavardhini Vati treatment in rat model of CCl4 induced chronic hepatotoxicity

Abstract

Background Aarogyavardhini Vati is a classical Ayurvedic herbomineral formulation. It contains mercury and copper compounds as principal minerals along with other minerals and herbal ingredients. Aarogyavardhini Vati is indicated in chronic liver ailments. However, safety concerns are often raised regarding the use of mercury containing ayurvedic drugs in disease conditions due to the risk of mercury and copper toxicity. Objective This study was performed to address the safety concerns regarding mercury and copper toxicity from Ayurvedic herbomineral formulations by investigating accumulation of these minerals in tissues and subsequent toxicity in chronic hepatotoxicity rat model. Materials and methods Quantification of mercury and copper in Aarogyavardhini Vati was done. Chronic hepatotoxicity was induced in the Wistar rats by repeated administration of CCl 4 for 8 weeks. Animals were treated with Aarogyavardhini Vati for various durations. Post treatment of 8 weeks, serum biochemical marker estimations was done. Estimation of mercury and copper from the liver, kidney and brain tissues was done after animal sacrifice. Histopathology evaluation of visceral organs was also performed. Results Treatment with Aarogyavardhini Vati exhibited significant accumulation of mercury in the kidney but not in the brain and liver. Similarly, no significant accumulation of copper was observed in liver, kidney, and brain due to the treatment of Aarogyavardhini Vati . Serum biochemical and histopathological changes were not affected by the treatment with Aarogyavardhini Vati . Conclusion Aarogyavardhini Vati did not show any biologically significant potential to cause toxicity due to its mercury and copper content when administered for prolonged duration to rats with chronic hepatotoxicity.

Arogyavardhini Vati – Critical Analysis of a Miracle Drug

“…Serum biochemical and histopathological changes were not affected by the treatment. [4] In another toxicity study, Arogyavardhini Vati at doses of 50, 250, and 500 mg/kg (1, 5, and 10 times of human equivalent dose respectively), mercury chloride (1 mg/kg), and normal saline were administered orally to male Wistar rats for 28 days. Behavioral parameters were assessed on day 1, 7 th , 14 th , and 28 th using the Morris water maze, passive avoidance, elevated plus maze, and rota rod.…”

“…This is used in the imbalances of all three Dosha (humor). [4] Arogyavardhini Vati can be prepared by the following method. All the given ingredients are collected and weighed in the required quantity as per their ratio in the formulation.…”

An Overview on Vegetable Origin Drugs Used in Ayurveda, Included in the Schedule (E1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945

“…Effect of Shodhana (purification) in reducing the toxicity of plant drugs were also proved by various researches. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] After Shodhana (purification), these drugs can be used in treating different therapeutic conditions including cancer. [47] According to Acharya R, Ranade A, Surana M, Pawar SD, adopting scientifically validated traditional purification techniques for poisonous medicinal drugs of plant and mineral origin can ameliorate their neurotoxic effects and enhance their therapeutic efficacy.…”