CUMULATIVE TOXICITY OF HERBAL DRUGS

JAYAKRISHNAN K; VAIDYARATNAM AYURVEDA COLLEGE

AGADATHANTHRA COMPILATION

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CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

II. ETYMOLOGY

III. DERIVATION

IV. ADVERSE DRUG REACTION(ADR)

V. CAUSES OF TOXICITY: A

PERSPECTIVE OF CUMULATIVE

TOXICITY

VI. CAUSES OF TOXCITY IN

HERBOMINERAL PREPARATIONS

VII. FACTORS OF CUMULATIVE

TOXICITY:

i. EXTRINSIC FACTORS

ii. INTRINSIC FACTORS

VIII. HERBAL DRUGS WITH

CUMULATIVE TOXICITY:

i. कारस्कर- Strychnos nux-vomica

ii. सर्पगन्ध- Rauwolfia serpentina

iii. तमाखु-Nicotiana tubacum

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iv. भल्लातक- Semicarpus anacardium

v. वत्सनाभभ- Aconitum ferox

vi. ईश्वरमूली- Aristolochia indica

vii. ननत्यकल्याणि- Vinca rosea

viii. ताम्बूल- Betel leaves

ix. Food items and drugs containing

Hydrocyanic acid

IX. CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION

In the present day scenario people are more

prone to different types of poisons like slow

acting poisons of cumulative nature. It is not

necessary that cumulative poison results only

from direct intake of poisonous materials; It

can also be formed by poisoned environment.

Polluted air, water, land and the increased

exposure to electromagnetic radiations

through mobile phones, computers etc., faulty

food habits, stressful lifestyle, continuous

usage of any particular medications, high use

of pesticides even वेगधारिcan cause

cumulative toxicity.

As a result of present-day trends in lifestyle,

eating habit, stressful working condition

cumulative toxicity is becoming more and

more common.

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ETYMOLOGY

The word cumulative toxicity comprises of two words cumulative, toxicity. Cumulative comes from the Latin word ‘cumulatus’ for "to heap." If something is cumulative, it is heaped together so it can be counted up to get a total number. In other way we can say

Increasing or growing by accumulation or successive additions. Formed by or resulting from accumulation or the addition of

successive elements Toxicity is the quality, state, or relative degree of being toxic or poisonous.

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DERIVATION

Cumulative toxicity is the adverse effect produced by

the accumulated poisons. Toxin from different sources such as food, drugs and environment may cause

cumulative toxicity. This type of poison mainly depends

on absorption, biotransformation and excretion of drugs. The adverse reactions of drugs may be

predictable or unpredictable. But cumulative toxicity is

the predictable adverse reactions. Any drug will cumulate in the body if the rate of administration is

more than rate of elimination. That means if a drug is

excreted slowly, its repeated administration may build up a sufficiently high concentration in the body to

produce toxicity e.g. Digoxin, emetine and heavy

metals. Substances like lead can remain deposited in bones without producing toxic effects. This is called

passive cumulation. It can produce the toxic

manifestations as soon as it is released into the blood.

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AYURVEDIC CONCEPT

AGADATANTRA [अगदतन्र], one of the 8 branches of

Ayurveda and is very significant, which deals with

different types of poisons, symptoms of poisoning and

their treatment. The term AGADA [अगद] has the

general meaning as treatment.

According to Samhithas,ववषmay be divided into two

viz. natural [प्रकृत] and artificial [कृत्ररम].

Natural poisons are those of poisonous creatures

[जङ्गमम]् or toxic plants and minerals [स्थावर].

स्थावरम ्जङ्गमम ्च इनत ववषम ्प्रोक्तमकृत्ररमम ्।

कृत्ररमम ्गरसंञं तु क्रियते ववववधौषध ैः ॥

हन्न्त योगवशेनाशु चचरात ्चचरतरात ्च तत ्।

शोफर्ाण्डूदरोन्माद दनुापमादीन ्करोनत वा ॥

[अ. हृ. उ. 35/4,6]

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Compounded poisons, made from nonpoisonous

materials are termed as गर .

नानाप्राणि अङ्गशमल ववरुद्धौषचध भस्मनाम ्। ववषािाम ्च अल्र् वीयापिाम ्योगो गर इनत स्मृतैः ॥

[ अ.हृ.उ. 35/49]

Denatured poisons are termed as दूषीववष . They have

delayed action. It is this class of poison which shows

major cumulative effect and is influenced by other factors.

जीिपम ्ववषघ्नौषचधभभहपतम ्वा दावान्ननवातातर्शोवषतम ्वा । स्वभावतो वा स्वगुि न युक्तम ्ववषम ्हह दषूीववषताम ्उर् नत ॥

वीयापल्र् भावात ् अववभाव्यम ् एतत ् कफावतृम ् वषपगिानुबन्न्ध ॥

[सु.कल्र्. 2/23,24]

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ADVERSE DRUG REACTION (ADR)

Adverse drug reaction is defined as "any response to a

drug that is noxious and unintended and that occurs at doses used in man for prophylaxis, diagnosis or

therapy".

The drug toxicity in man may he of two types; Systemic

and Local.

Systemic drug toxicity is serious and usually produces

an exaggerated pharmacological action of the drug.

The following are some of the major adverse effects:

Drug intolerance — Here the drug produces hyper-responses for normal

doses, precipitate abnormal reactions to drug due to the

presence of some enzymes, and hyper-sensitivity reactions due to antigen-antibody reactions.

E.g. Psoralia cordylifolia [सोमराजी], Semi carpus anacardium [भल्लातक],

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Mucuna pruriens [कवर्कच्छु].

Hepatotoxicity:

Certain drugs when used for a long time or used in

poorly processed form causes Liver toxicity.

E.g. Gloriosa superba [लाङ्गली] Semicarpus anacardium [भल्लातक].

Hemopoietic toxicity —

The use of drug causes blood related symptoms like

anemia. aplastic anemia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, bleeding etc. are produced.

E.g. Vinca rosea [ननत्यकल्याणि].

Saponin containing drugs like Sapindus, Luffa, trichosanthes.

Nephrotoxicity — Symptoms include albuminuria, hematuria, tubular

necrosis, renal calculi etc.

E.g. Aristolochia indica [ईश्वरमूली] Behavioral toxicity —

It includes suicidal tendency, disorientation, confusion,

restlessness etc.

E.g. Rauwolfia serpentina [सर्पगन्ध],

Celastrus paniculatus [ज्योनतष्मती],

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Vinca rosea [ननत्यकल्याणि].

Unmasking and aggravation of diseases —

Some drugs unmask a latent disease or aggravate an

existing one.

E.g. Rauwolfia serpentina [सर्पगन्ध]aggravates peptic

ulcer and epilepsy.

Iatrogenic disease — The drugs themselves produce pathological symptoms,

E.g. Rauwolfia serpentina [सर्पगन्ध] produces

Parkinsonism.

Electrolyte disturbances — It includes sodium retention. hypokalemia, edema etc.

E.g. Rauwolfia serpentina [सर्पगन्ध],

Drugs containing cortisone like Dioscorea.

Endocrine disturbances —

The use of certain drugs cause menstrual irregularities,

goiter, Cushing's syndrome, arrest of lactation etc.

E,.g. Rauwolfia serpentina [सर्पगन्ध], Dioscorea

bulbifera [वराही]

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Skin toxicity —

It causes skin rashes and blisters over the skin.

E.g. Semicarpus anacardium [भल्लातक],

Commiphora muktil [गुनगुलु].

Drug interaction toxicity — when two or more drugs are administered to a patient

some untoward effects may be produced.

E.g. mercury preparation along with Semicarpus or Smilax.

Carcinogenesis — The continuous use of some drugs are carcinogenic.

E.g. Aristolochia indica [ईश्वरमूली]

Nicotiana tabacum [tobacco –तमाखु].

Teratogenicity —

The use of certain drugs lead to congenital anomalies which are passed on from generation to generation.

E.g. Vinca rosea [ननत्यकल्याणि]

Drug dependence —

It means addiction and dependence.

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E.g. Opium, tobacco, Ricinus comunnis [एरण्ड]

Cumulative toxicity is the adverse effect produced by

the accumulated toxins. Toxins from different sources such as food, drugs and environment may cause

cumulative toxicity. This type of toxic reaction mainly

depends on the absorption, biotransformation and excretion of the drug.

Absorption — Systemic effects may occur after metabolism of the

ingested drug. Drugs for local application and other

environmental poisons like pesticides and fumes also may produce local irritation and systemic effects on

continuous use.

Metabolism —

Some drugs are converted to active or even toxic

compounds during the stages of metabolism.

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Drug storage — Drugs may be stored in various tissues and organs like

bone, liver, body fat etc. Such substances may cause

chronic toxicity on further exposure.

Excretion —

Usually drugs are excreted through a route other than the route of administration. The absorbed drug is

excreted through kidneys, lungs, skin, bile, intestine,

breast milk and saliva. The Indigenous medicine of India mainly depends on

natural drugs. Among them a large number of

traditionally used herbal medicine can produce toxic effects. This toxicity is attributed to the drug due to

some extrinsic or intrinsic factors.

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CAUSES OF TOXICITY : A PERSPECTIVE OF

CUMULATIVE TOXICITY

Most of the Ayurvedic preparations prescribed

contain herbal, minerals and metals. These preparations are believed to be fast acting and disease specific.

Non purified heavy metals have been known for their toxicity. The possible heavy metal related toxicity

arising from the use of herbo-mineral preparation

is the subject of interest but historically there is no consensus on a scientifically validation regarding toxic

effectof heavy metals used in herbo-mineral

preparation. There is a layman tendency, unsupported by facts to

assume that all these so called heavy metal and their

compounds are highly toxic.

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This is not 100% accurate as all the metals present on

the Earth’s crust and enter our bodies continually at lower levels.

The multimillion Ayurvedic drug industries are attracting so many pharmaceutical companies and

thousands of products are being marketed per year.

Unfortunately, none of them have given emphasis on the toxic effect

of herbo-mineral preparation. This leads to decrease in

the projected efficacy, even though they are combination or modification of classical formulations.

This may be due to following reasons:

Improper purification of heavy metals used in

herbo-mineral preparation

The selected formulation may not be suitable for a

specified clinical condition of that person

Inappropriate form for the finished product

Method of modification for a classical drug or

method of preparation of new drug may be incorrect

Failure of determining the accurate dose.

Out of the above said factors the improper purification plays a key role in developing toxicity in formulations

containing mineral drugs. The incidence of cumulative

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toxicity is related to the concentration of toxic

chemicals in the body. In the living organism, local, systemic,

short term, delayed, reversible or irreversible toxicity

may be precipitated. Many chemicals are toxic because they are bio

transformed into more toxic chemicals. In this situation

effective measures should be taken to inhibit biotransformation, to decrease the toxicity of compound

preparations.

CAUSES OF TOXOCITY IN HERBOMINERAL

PREPARATIONS

Improper identification of crude drugs-

Ayurvedic products most commonly has multiple

ingredients. Before taking any crude drug to a

formulation they should properly get identified. If the drug is

wrongly identified then this may lead to unwanted

effects. Adulteration/ substitution-

This is another serious problem associated with Ayurvedic formulation. Most of the Ayurvedic

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manufacturers are purchasing the crude drugs from

commercial suppliers. Some times the price of crude drug may be very high. It is here, that the profit motive

commercial suppliers may increase the bulk of the drug

by adding adulterants or sometimes entirely replacing the crude drug with some other substances.

Manufacturing under unhygienic conditions-

In India apart from few big companies most of the

Ayurvedic manufacturers are from small scale unit. The

hygienic conditions of these units are very poor. Many times the store rooms are the thriving areas of many

rodents and they will make the raw material further

unhygienic.

Lack of technically qualified persons:

Like other manufacturing industries Ayurvedic

manufacturing units also require technically qualified persons, unfortunately not common in India.

Improper quality control checks-

At least at the state level of government laboratory

should be established for the exclusive testing of Ayurvedic drugs.

Inadequacy of the present laws-

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The laws relating to manufacturing of Ayurvedic

products are very weak and it enables a simple way to get license for their manufacturing. These laws should

be made strict so that no product should be marketed

without proper standardization.

FACTORS OF CUMULATIVE TOXICITY

The cumulative toxicity is attributed to the drug due to some extrinsic and intrinsic factors.

EXTRINSIC FACTORS: Pesticide residue e.g. Agrochemicals, DDT

Fumigants e.g. Methyl bromide

Contamination of general environment with toxic

metals. e.g. Increased industrial and traffic emissions,

agricultural expedients, fungicides, insecticides etc.

Exotic herbal remedies: - Some of these Preparations

have been reported to contain toxic levels of heavy

metals or arsenic

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Adulteration of accidental mixing with more toxic plant

INTRINSIC FACTORS

Chemical constituents such as toxalbumins,

hydrocyanic acid, certain alkaloids, saponins,

glycosides, volatile oils, etc.

Many drugs of plant origin traditionally used by Ayurveda, are having some toxic effects due to the

above-mentioned factors. But the method of

preparation, combined usage with other drugs and the care taken in prescriptions keep them harmless and safe.

The dose is the important factor related to toxicity. A

common and safe drug may sometimes cause toxicity if it is ingested in a higher dose. So confirming the dose is

very important for the success of the treatment. Over

dosage is always discouraged by Ayurveda.

अनतमारम ्रु्नैः सवापन ्आशु दोषान ्प्रकोर्येत ्। [अ.हृ.सू 8/4]

योगादवर् ववषम ्तीक्ष्िम ्उत्तमम ्भेषजम ्भवेत ्। भभषजम ्च अवर् दुयुपक्तम ्तीक्ष्िम ्सम्र्द्यते ववषम ्॥

[च.सू.1/126]

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With reference to Ayurvedic herbal drugs, we can

consider the cumulative toxicity as the adverse reaction

occurring by long-term use. चरकसंहहता specified that

some drugs should not be used in excess without

specific rejuvenation regimens [रसायन].Long pepper

[वर्प्र्ली] alkalis [क्षार] and salts [लवि] are examples.

अथ खलु रीणि द्रव्याणि नात्युर्युञ्जीताचधकम ्अन्येभ्यो

द्रव्येभ्यैः, तद्यथा वर्प्र्ली,क्षारैः, लविम ्इनत । [च.वव.1/15]

Generally the use of these drugs, in higher doses or for

long term is prohibited. Long pepper is hot [उष्ि],

alkalis are sharp [तीक्ष्ि] and dry [रूक्ष] and many salts

cause fluid retention [प्रक्लेदन]. Thus these drugs may

produce some untoward effects if used in excess. These

examples warn us about the possibility of adverse

effects with other drugs like [भल्लातक], Plumbago

zeylanica [चचरक] , black pepper [मररच] garlic [लशुन]

and [सोमराजी] having hot, sharp and dry properties.

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The analytical studies of crude drugs by chemical,

pharmacological and clinical assays also give strong

evidences to prove this ancient principle.

HERBAL DRUGS WITH CUMULATIVE TOXICITY

KAARASKARA –कारस्कर - (Strychnos nuxvomica)

This contains strychnine, brucin, loganin, vomicin etc.

Among, these strychnine is the most toxic ingredient. It

is used largely as an insecticide and animal poison.

Nux-vomica is one of the drugs used for the diseases of

nervous system. It has tonic, stimulant, febrifuge and

aphrodisiac action. The absorption of strychnine is rapid

from stomach and intestine and elimination is through

urine, bile, sweat, saliva and milk. Complete

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elimination takes place only in three to eight days, and

also it shows a tendency to inhibit the elimination by

constricting the renal arteries. It produces cumulative

toxicity.

Habitual use of nux-vomica seeds produces drug

tolerance. It causes ulceration of gastro intestinal

Mucosa, stiffness of neck and face, and twitching of

muscles. Strychnine is antagonistic to glycine, a

postsynaptic inhibitory transmitter. In small doses it has

no direct effect on skeletal muscles or cardiovascular

system. Large doses of strychnine produce convulsions

and death as a result of asphyxia.

It is reported that Bacopa [ब्रह्मी] could be used instead

of nux-vomica for nervous breakdown as evidenced by

experimental studies. Bacopa did not produce reflex

irritation and is less toxic.

SARPAGANDHA – सर्पगन्ध - (Rauwolfia serpentina)

Root of Rauwolfia is in medicinal use by different

systems of medicines for hypertension, insomnia and

insanity. It is used for snake poisoning also. The main

chemical ingredients are alkaloids namely reserpine,

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rescinnamine. deserpidine and ajmaline. Reserpine is

the most potent hypotensive alkaloid. The lowering of

the blood pressure is effected by the depletion of

noradrenaline in the peripheral sympathetic nerve

endings including those of heart.

Initially it acts reversibly but later irreversibly. The

drug also inhibits the release of renin. The central and

peripheral effects are slow and maintained for a long

time even after the complete elimination of the drug.

Because of this character reserpine produces cumulative

toxicity.

Adverse effects are:

Weight gain due to increased appetite and retention of

sodium.

Mental depression —nightmares, insomnia and suicidal

tendencies.

Parkinsonism — reserpine induced Parkinsonism can be

controlled by using anti-parkinsonian drugs in

combination.

Endocrine disorders — gynecomastia and impotence in

males and infertility in females.

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The adverse effects may be minimized by prescribing

सर्पगन्ध along with other preparations trice दशमूल हरीतकी and त्ररफला चूिप. Anyway सर्पगन्ध should be

taken under strict medical supervision and only for a

short term.

TAMAAKHU – तमाखु - (Nicotiana tabacum)

Nicotine is the alkaloid contained in the leaves of

tobacco, which is a ganglion-stimulating agent. In small

doses it produces euphorea, relieves anxiety and

suppresses anger. It stimulates CNS and causes reflex

stimulation of respiration. It induces the release of

antidiuretic hormone.

The dried leaves are used widely for smoking, chewing

and snuffing. Passive toxicity is caused in persons

working in tobacco processing industries or in workers

making and spraying nicotine containing insecticides

like decoction of tobacco. Those who are subjected to

direct or passive toxicity for long term may suffer the

cumulative toxic effects. Main symptoms of cumulative

toxicity are cough, bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema,

bronchial asthma and thrombo angitis obliterance

(TAO). An increased incidence of lung cancer is

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attributed to the use of tobacco. Polonium 210

contained in tobacco smoke is carcinogenic. Chewing

leads to buccal mucosa cancer. Optic atrophy and

consequent loss of vision due to the use of tobacco is

termed as tobacco ambliopia. The incidence of

Ischaemic heart disease and angina pectoris is more in

smokers. Use of tobacco is to be discouraged rather

than treating for its ill effects.

मदवर्त्तभ्रमकरम ्वमनम ्रेचनम ्स्मृतम ्। दृन्ष्िमान्द्यकरम ्च व तीक्ष्िम ्शुिकरम ्तथा ॥

तस्य व धूमर्ानम ्तु हृत्शुक्लाहदहरम ्र्रम ्। देशान्तरप्रभेदेन तीक्ष्िम ्चातपववर्त्तलम ्॥

[यो.र.1]

BHALLAATAKA – भल्लातक -(Semicarpus anacardium)

The pericarp of the nut contains tarry oil consisting of

anacardic acid 90% and a nonvolatile alcohol called

cardol 10%. Other isolated chemical constituents are

anacardol, semicarpol and bhilavanol. भल्लातक has

been used in some Ayurvedic preparations from ancient

period. This drug externally acts as a powerful irritant

and produces vesicles. So it is used in leprotic nodules

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and clue to the counter irritant action in rheumatism.

Internally also this drug is irritant for gastric mucosa. If

taken in higher doses it produces blisters on the mucous

membrane of buccal cavity, throat, stomach and

intestines. Dyspnoea, hypotension, tachycardia are

some of the other symptoms. Over dosage causes death

within 24 hours.

The major adverse effect of this drug is that the

irritation could not he controlled and more often reaches

above the desired mark. There are clinical reports of the

adverse effects of भल्लातक during the treatment of

piles. After the administration of this

drug 32 patients developed hepatitis, albuminuria and

generalized urticaria.

The adverse effects may he anaphylactic or systemic.

The sudden skin rashes are produced in those who are

hypersensitive. The potent constituents cause the

irritation and other ill effects if used continuously for a

longer period. So this drug should be taken only under

medical supervision, after proper purification and only

for a limited short-term course.

The specific antidote for the toxicity of भल्लातकis

Terminalia belerica ववभीतकी. The decoction or powder

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preparations with fruit rind or bark of Terminalia

belerica are effective for the sudden reactions and for

systemic effects. Drugs that mitigate वर्त्तैः like milk and

clarified butter and other drugs with cold potency may

also be used. In any case, further use of भल्लातक is

contraindicated.

VATSANAABHI – वत्सनाभी -(Aconitum ferox)

Aconite is a valuable and potent drug of Ayurveda and

Unani systems. The drug consists of the tuberous roots

of the plant. In Sanskrit this drug is termed as ववष which means poison. After purification it is used in the

preparation of several ayurvedic medicines and is

effective in fever, rheumatism, cough, asthma and

neuralgia. Aconite contain: alkaloids namely aconitine,

bikhaconitine, pseudoaconitine, etc.

Pseudoaconitine is highly toxic and biologically more

active than aconitine. Aconitine is cardiac irritant. On

external application it stimulates peripheral sensory

nerves and produces tingling sensation and then

depression and numbness. When administered

internally 11 stimulates vagus and slows heart rate. So it

is used as a cardiac depressant. Biological assays

revealed that purifying the drug causes only partial and

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selective destruction of the toxins in the drug. As a

result of this incomplete purification aconite produces

stimulant action on heart instead of depression.

Ayurveda considers that the adverse effects can be

minimized by the proper purification of the drug.

Purification by soaking in cow's milk is reported to give

better result than in cow's urine. The dose and course of

the drug also should be minimum.

EESVARAMOOLEE -ईश्वरमूली- (Aristolochia indica)

The main active constituent of this plant is aristolochic

acid; alkaloid aristolochine, some sesquiterpinoid

compounds and traces camphor. The root is the

officinal part and is used medicinally for bowel

complaints, intermittent fevers, and arthritis. It is also

used as an antidote to snake and insect poisoning.

Aristolochic acid has cumulative tendency in human

body and is capable of producing nephrotoxicity. The

continuous administration may be a causative factor for

carcinomatous changes. According to the duration of

administration the carcinoma may extend to

papillomatous c. squamous cell c. Occurrence of

metastasis in lymph nodes, intestine, urinary bladder,

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kidney and renal pelvis etc. were also observed from the

reports of experimental studies conducted earlier.

NITYAKALYAANI -ननत्यकल्याणि - (Vinca rosea)

The plant contains various alkaloids and the two active

ingredients namely Vinblastine sulphate and Vincristine

sulphate are effective against malignancy. The action is

effected by the inhibition of mitotic cell division.

Although they arrest the progressive development of

tumours, they produce some adverse reactions like the

other cytotoxic drugs. The adverse effects are mainly

bone marrow depression, alopacia, peripheral

neuropathy and mental depression on long-term use.

This drug also causes intestinal obstruction with

paralytic ileus and it has teratogenic toxic effects.

THAMBOOLA - ताम्बूल

In India chewing of 'pan' or betel is a common habit.

Pan morsel contains betel leaf, arecanut and lime. Betel

leaf and areca nut are considered as indigenous drugs.

Betel leaf is having antiseptic, antipyretic and

carminative actions. It is widely used as a medicine and

as an adjuvant. Areca nut is astringent, aromatic and

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acrid. It has an anthelmintic effect and is capable of

producing similar actions like Pilocarpine and

Muscarine. It contains the chemical constituents namely

arecainc, arecoline, arecaidine and guvacine. Arecoline

is highly toxic and causes inflammation to gums,

loosening of teeth and oral carcinoma due to constant

irritation. Excessive indulgence of pan leads to

pathological changes like dental troubles, oral sepsis,

dyspepsia, neurosis and palpitation. The chewing of

betel morsel causes chronic irritation of oral mucosa

resulting in epitheliomatous growths and even cancer of

mouth and lips. The alkaline juice of betel morsel

neutralizes the acidity of gastric sluice and produces an

astringent effect on gastric mucosa.

ताम्बूलम ्नानत सेवेत ववररक्तो न बुभुक्षक्षतैः॥

देह हृत्क्लेश दन्तान्नन श्रोरविपबलक्षयैः । शोषवर्त्ताननलास्रम ्स्यादनत ताम्बूल भक्षिात ्॥

[यो.र. 1/158]

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FOOD ITEMS AND DRUGS CONTAINING

HYDROCYANIC ACID

This is an important chemical constituent of a number

of plants used as food and medicine. Potato, almonds,

tapioca, bamboo shoots, some of the members of pea

and rose families contain a glycoside - amygdaline that

is readily hydrolysed into HCN. Lepidium Sativam

[चन्द्रशूरैः], Linum usitatissimum [अतसी], Citrus medica

[मातुलुङ्गैः] and Ricinus Communis [एरण्डैः] are some of

the important drugs containing HCN. HCN produces

fatal results if ingested in large doses or continuously.

Symptoms of chronic poisoning are headache, vertigo,

and loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, dyspnoea and

anemia. Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulphate are

regarded as the effective antidotes against HCN and

cyanide poisoning. Repeated washing and adopting

special methods of cooking may reduce the toxic effects

in food preparations.

CONCLUSION

Ayurveda has opened up before us a world of herbal

drugs and formulations from an ancient period itself,

However modern follow up research in this context,

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A study to validate Ayurvedic perspectives is at a

staggering pace itself. Each and every plant has an

active ingredient, the use of that active ingredient alone

or of the whole plant, without proper analytical studies

has earned adverse reaction to the body.

From the Ayurvedic perspective, Adverse reaction may

be defined on the lines of excess use of one rasa. Our

drugs like तुलसी, ननम्बैः and हरीतकी etc. are said to

have the power to produce sterility on long term use.

Ayurvedically, It may be due to उष्िैः property and किु,

नतक्त, कषाय rasa of the same which leads to शुिक्षय.

Similarly किु रस, उष्िैः वीयप, तीक्ष्ि, रूक्ष गुि drugs

like सोमराजी, सषपर्ैः, स्नूहह, चचरक are capable of

producing Gastric irritation and peptic ulcer, Saponin

containing drugs may cause hemolysis and thereby

anemia.

वराही कन्दैः (dioscorea) is a natural source of cortisone

and so it has well proven adverse effects.

भशग्रू र्र स्वरस, when given for a long term causes

urinary discomfort like dysuria and hematuria.

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However these are all researches on single dravya

drugs, The drugs used to combat long term diseases,

whose extensive use might be necessary, have been left

untouched, as is the area of combination of Drugs to

produce the effect as in different yogas has failed to

catch the researcher’s eye.

With Ayurvedic Institutes mushrooming and with larger

chances of accumulation of toxins, an extensive

research that stems from Ayurveda and is rooted in

Ayurveda is necessary for safeguarding its treasures.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Page | 34

Cumulative Toxicity of Herbal Drugs –

Dr.R.Remadevi,

Toxicology : Aayurvedic Prespective.

Cumulative Toxicity of Herbo-mineral preparations –

Gupta Bijay Kumar, International Ayurvedic Medical

Journal, ISSN: 2320 5091