Abstract:
Background: Mother tinctures are commonly prescribed in day to day practice as
therapeutic agents by homoeopathic practitioners. However, being the base preparation
of medicines, safety of mother tinctures still remains a challenge because of the high
variability of chemical components involved.The present study investigated the acute
and sub-acute oral toxicity of different homoeopathic mother tinctures (Bellis perennis,
Curcuma longa, Rauwolfia serpentina, Ricinnus communis, Tribulus terrestris and
Terminalia arjuna) in experimental models.
Methods: Toxicity studies were conducted to assess the level to which substances are
toxic for humans and animals. In acute oral toxicity study, different homoeopathic mother
tinctures were administered orally (a single dose of 4 ml/kg)and animals were observed
for toxic symptoms till 14 days as per OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development) - 423 guidelines. For sub-acute toxicity study, 28 day oral toxicity
of mother tinctures (4 ml/kg daily) was carried out according to the OECD guidelines
for testing of chemicals - 407. At the end of 28 days, the animals were sacrificed and
toxicity was assessed on parameters such as blood, biochemistry and histopathology.
Results: Results indicate that there were no toxic symptoms observed in tested
animals. Results of sub-acute toxicity study did not show any change in body
weight, haematological and biochemical parameters as compared to control. The
histopathological examination of kidney and liver also did not reveal any organ toxicities.
