Study of the safety profile of raw (aśodhita) and cow’s urine processed (gomūtra śodhita) tubers of Gloriosa superba L. (Lāngali) in albino rats

Abstract

Lāngali (Gloriosa superba L.) is a drug in upaviṣa varga (semi-poisonous drug) which has to undergo śodhana procedure before its therapeutic use. The present study was planned to assess the role of śodhana of Lāngali tuber by gomūtra on its safety aspects in experimental animals, which is recommended by Ayurvedic Formulary of India. The therapeutic dose of Lāngali as per API is 125 to 250 mg/day. For the present study the higher dose i.e. 250 mg was selected. Wistar strain albino rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into seven groups and each group contained 12 animals (six male and six female). The study was done for 90 days followed by 30 days (total 120 days) recovery study. Various haematological, biochemical parameters and histopathology of the organs were studied. The study showed that śodhana process attenuates the toxicity producing potential of raw Lāngali. When processed with gomūtra, lāngali root produces good spermatogenic effect while raw/ aśodhita lāngali hampers spermatogenesis at 10 times dose level. So it can be concluded that both raw and śodhita Langali found relatively safe up to 5 times therapeutic dose level.