Comparative Physicochemical Evaluation and Acute Toxicity Study of Crude and Processed (Detoxified) Samples of <i>Saqmunia</i> (<i>Convolvulus scammonia</i> L.) in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Tadbīr va Islāh-i-Adwiya (detoxification/rectification of drugs) is a distinctive concept of Unani medicine in which drugs that are toxic by nature are detoxified before being administered to the human body. In Unani medicine, the resin called Saqmunia which is a derivative of the rhizome of Convolvulus scammonia, is used for therapeutic purposes. So far, limited research studies have been carried out to appraise the age-old concept of detoxification of Unani drugs. Therefore, the present study was designed to explore the physicochemical characteristics and acute toxicity of crude and detoxified samples of Saqmunia in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Saqmunia was detoxified through the tashwiya (roasting) method using apple and cow dung cakes. The physicochemical standardization includes moisture content, different ash values, extractive values; pH, fluorescence analysis, and TLC were performed. The acute toxicity study of both samples of Saqmunia was carried out at 300 and 2000 mg/kg dose levels in female albino Wistar rats. The data were analyzed using Oneway ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s comparison test. Results: The findings of the physicochemical standardization of crude and detoxified Saqmunia were found to be within an accepted range. The acute toxicity study has shown that the non-detoxified form of the test drug produced maximum toxicities, even causing death in rats. The LD50 of crude and detoxified Saqmunia was found to be 1000 mg and > 2000 mg/kg, respectively, in rats. Conclusions: The present study has suggested that Saqmunia used in this study was of good quality, and the physicochemical constants found in this study may be taken as a reference for future studies. Moreover, the acute toxicity study validates the Unani concept of detoxification of drugs, as is evident from the minimal toxic effects found in the detoxified sample of Saqmunia as compared to the crude sample in rats.