Article: DOCUMENTATION OF CASE REPORT ON CLINICAL SAFETY CONCERNS OF AYURVEDIC POLY HERBO-MINERAL DRUGS

Article Category: Case Reports

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.15231

Pages: 22-25

Author: Shashidhar H Doddamani, Bhavya BM *, Shubhashree MN, Sanjay Kumar Giri

Abstract: Heavy metals in Ayurvedic formulations have been used for centuries with claimed efficacy and safety. In the past few decades, although Ayurveda has gained popularity in the health care system, it has also been under the scanner for its safety and quality aspects of specific formulations due to the toxicity involved, especially of Herbo-mineral preparations containing heavy metals and other elements which is often alarming. Here, we are reporting a case of a male patient aged 53 years who presented to our CARI OPD with a pre-diagnosed case of diabetes for eight years. He was on Allopathic oral hypoglycemic drugs, but due to poor glycemic control, he also opted for Ayurvedic treatment. He was treated with Nishamalaki, Chandraprabha vati, and Ashwagandha for seven months and Sutashekhara rasa for three months. As the patient was concerned about the toxic fate of the drug due to the prolonged use of both Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicines, he got lab investigations done for 22 toxic elements like Arsenic, Mercury and Lead to evaluate the toxicity of the drugs. The reports showed that all toxic elements, including safety profiles, were within the average value. The heavy metals used in the Ayurvedic formulations are not delivered in elemental form. The formulation's physicochemical state differs from that of the natural heavy metal form. Furthermore, they are subjected to samskara (processing), which contributes to the purification, detoxification, and restoration of their therapeutic properties, making them safe for consumption.

Keyword: Ayurvedic medicine, Case report, Heavy metal, Herbo-mineral preparation, Toxic metal