Pharmacological and toxicological investigation of coded Unani formulation UNIM-211

ABSTRACT

The Pharmacological and toxicological investigation of the aqueous extract of coded compound Unani formulation UNIM-211 was undertaken to evaluate its efficacy and safety in experimental animals. Hypoglycemic activity of the drug extract was evaluated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Drug extract only at a dose of 3 gm/kg significantly reduced the blood glucose level after 8 days of treatment. The hypoglycemic effect of drug extract was compared with standard hypoglycemic agent glibenclamide. The drug extract is found to be less effective in lowering the blood glucose level in diabetic rats when compared with glibenclamide. The acute toxicity study carried out in albino mice revealed that it tolerated a dose of 10 gm/kg of drug extract and animals showed no abnormal sign and symptoms and no overnight mortality when observed for 24 hours after drug treatment. The investigation of subacute toxicity revealed that the aqueous extract of the drug at doses of 1 gm/kg and 3 gm/kg showed no change in the parameters of liver function test and lipid profiles, but a significant increase in blood urea level was observed at both the doses of the drug. The haematological studies revealed no significant change in percent haemoglobin, ESR, but a significant change in TLC and DLC was observed at a dose level of 3 g/kg. The organ to body weight ratio of liver, heart and spleen remained unaltered but a significant increase in the organ to body weight ratio of kidney at a dose of 3 g/kg was observed. These results show that the drug is effective in lowering alloxan induced blood glucose level only at high dose, and it is quite safe except some adverse effect on kidney