In vitro Anticoagulant Activity of Siddha Sastric Formulation Linga Mathirai compared with Low Molecular Weight Heparin.

Linga Mathirai (LM) is a Siddha Sastric formulation indicated for treating cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LM against the formation of thrombus and platelet aggregation on compared with Low molecular weight Heparin. In vitro clot lysis and platelet aggregation assays were employed for the study on blood samples of rat. Whole blood samples and platelets obtained by centrifugation were used for clot lysis and aggregation assay respectively. Platelet aggregation was induced by agonists Thrombin and Adenosine diphosphate (ADP). The different concentrations of LM (100, 200, 500, 1000 μL) were prepared with the adjuvant Ginger decoction for test samples and 100 μL low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was used for treating standard group. Against clot formation and platelet aggregation, LM did not exhibit significant efficacy on compared with normal saline (control) and heparin. However, LM at its higher concentration 1000 μL exhibited significant inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation induced by both Thrombin and ADP when compared with distilled water (control). Under this study, it is concluded that the test drug Linga Mathirai had comparable and slightly lesser efficacy than low molecular weight heparin.

Toxicological Study of a Siddha Sastric Formulation Arumuga Chendhuram in Rat Model.

The study was aimed to profile the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of a herbo-metallic drug Arumuga Chendhuram (AC). AC was prepared classically and analyzed for elemental composition using X-ray Fluorescence. Acute oral toxicity study was done on female rats at AC 2 g/kg as single administration following OECD guideline 423. For sub acute toxicity study, AC was administered orally for 28 consecutive days suspended in vehicle (Honey + distilled water) to rats following OECD guideline 407. Four groups was allotted (10 rats/group), control received vehicle; the other received AC at 12, 24 & 48 mg/kg/day respectively. Mortality and abnormal clinical signs were observed. Haematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed using auto analyzer with standard kits and ANOVA-Dunnett test was performed for significant analyses. Gross necropsy and histopathology studies using H&E stain were done on major organs. Mercury and Lead were found more than the WHO permissible limits in XRF study. LD50 was found more than 2 g/kg. No-Observed-Adverse-Effect level of AC was seen at 24 mg/kg in 28 days of treatment. No abnormal findings were noted in high dose group organs. Administration of AC at its human therapeutic dose of 260 mg/kg in rat (24 mg/kg) is safe.