EVALUATION OF TOXICITY OF MUCUNA PRURIENS, CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM, MYRISTICA FRAGRANS AND THEIR COMBINATION ON RENAL, HEPATIC AND CARDIAC PARAMETERS

Abstract

Background: Alternative and traditional medicines are regarded as significant but underemployed means against
diseases. Myristica fragrans, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Mucuna pruriens, are among the vital components
of herbal medicines used for the treatment of different diseases, including male sexual disorders. However
knowledge about their safety is scanty. This study was carried out to evaluate the toxic effects of these drugs,
alone and in combination.
Material & Methods: This study was conducted on rabbits, divided into treated and control batches. Drugs
were administered orally for 90 days daily, and serum biochemical parameters were analyzed on 91st day. Histopathological
examination of kidney, liver, and heart were also done. Statistical analysis was done using one-way
analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc.
Results: There was no significant difference found in the renal and hepatic parameters, serum proteins and
cardiac parameters of treated batches as compared to control (p >0.05). The microscopy of kidney and liver did
not show any noteworthy pathology. Pericardium, myocardium, endocardium and cardiac chambers were within
normal limits. There was no significant difference in histology of all treated groups i.e. M. pruriens, C. zeylanicum,
M. fragrans, and combination groups as compared to control.
Conclusion: The drugs were found to be harmless in the doses used in this study in rabbits. However preclinical
and clinical research is required to ascertain the safety of these drugs in herbal medicines.