Published Paper Details:

Sphaeranthus Indicus Linn or East Indian Globe Thistle is a multi-branched aromatic herb consisting of various medicinal properties, and is used in the treatment of skin conditions, as an antimicrobial, immunomodulator, immunostimulant and in wound healing traditionally.[9] All the parts of the Sphaeranthus Indicus have been utilized for the treatment of various disease conditions out of which the marketed herbal formulations of Sphaeranthus Indicus were investigated for its toxicity profile which showed dose dependent toxicity. Toxicity profile of this marketed formulation was not investigated in previous studies Aim: - Explore the acute and subacute toxicity profile of the following two marketed herbal formulation of Sphaeranthus indicus linn for the safe use of traditional medicine and explore its potential for further effectiveness. Method: - In Acute toxicity study of both herbal formulations, Total no. of animals used were 24 male Swiss albino mice, weighing 25-30g, randomly assigned to experimental groups of 5mg/kg,50mg/kg, 300mg/kg and 1000mg/kg with 3 mice each and receiving single dose of the extract at 5mg/kg b.w,50mg/kg,300mg/kg and 1000mg/kg b.w respectively. Animals were monitored for 14 days for signs of toxicity, behavioral changes, mortality etc. In Sub-acute toxicity study, Total no of animals used were 70 Swiss albino mice weighing 25-30 g consisting of male and female Swiss albino mice randomly assigned to experimental groups of 50mg/kg, 1000mg/kg ,2000mg/kg with control group been given distilled water. The extract of herbal formulation of Sphaeranthus indicus was given at the doses of 50mg/kg,1000mg/kg,2000mg/kg per body weight of the mice for 28 consecutive days. The studies were conducted in compliance with OECD guidelines 423 and 407. Results: - Acute toxicity study showed no mortality up to the dose of 1000mg/kg, but mortality rates increase with higher doses. In subacute toxicity study, there was no mortality, up to the dose of 2000mg/kg with increase in deaths at higher doses. The hematological and biochemical analysis of the blood parameters don't show much significant differences. The histopathological analysis of liver shows marked lesions at higher doses. Conclusion: - It is concluded that the oral administration of doses of herbal formulation of Sphaeranthus indicus in acute study don't cause any mortality or other changes up to the level of 1000mg/kg. At higher doses there are possibilities of finding gross changes. In subacute study, no significant changes in the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters were observed. There is mild grade of lesion with repeated and daily dosing of the drug at higher dose of 2000mg/kg indicating that at higher doses with repeated dosing there is mild level development of toxicity signs.