PRE-CLINICAL TOXICITY STUDY OF TAMRA BHASMA ON ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Abstract

The use of metals in traditional medicine is very often seen as a matter of concern these days. Metals are processed through various steps like Shodhana, Marana, Amritikaran etc., to convert them into Bhasmas, which are then used as a medicine in Ayurveda for internal consumption. Bhasmas are unique Ayurvedic metallic preparations with herbal juices/fruits widely used for treatment of variety of chronic ailments. One of the extensively used routine Ayurvedic practice is Tamra (Copper) Bhasma. If it is not prepared properly or Shodhana procedure is not done properly, it acts as poison. To indicate its toxic potential, Ashtamahadoshas (eight major ill effects) have been quoted in classics and due emphasis have been given to its Shodhana procedure. In present study, Tamra Bhasma prepared by Rasamarit type under Kupistharasayana method was adopted. The observation was that Tamra Bhasma at dose TED i.e 5.5mg/kg showed non-toxic effect as indicated by its morphological, behavioral, biochemical, hematological and histopathological studies in wistar rats.