A COMPARATIVE ACUTE TOXICITY EVALUATION OF ASHOKA KSHEERAPAKA PREPARED FROM TWO DIFFERENT SPECIES OF SARACA (S. ASOCA & S. THAIPINGENSIS)

Ashoka (Saraca asoca) is an important Ayurvedic drug for treating gynecological disorders. Hence it is economically important. There were reports that it has become quite scarce in several localities and reported to be threatened in North Eastern Region of India. Ashoka bark widely adulterated with other barks & or from same genus of different species. Ashoka Ksheerapaka is one among clinical formulations of the plant Ashoka. Literature review revealed that no toxicity studies have been undertaken on this formulation especially on Ashoka Ksheerapaka made from S. asoca 8l S. thaipingensis. Because of this the present study was designed to evaluate Ashoka Ksheerapaka made from two species for acute toxicity in Wistar strain albino rats as per OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) guideline 425 with 2000 mg/kg as limit test. On 1st day test formulations were administered & observed for any toxicity changes for next 14 days. On 15th day serum biochemical and hematological parameters were estimated. In all the three groups normal weight gain was observed. Both the formulations did not produce any mortality up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg on oral administration. S. asoca increased the Monocyte percentage & Blood Sugar Level (BSL) significantly, while in S. thaipingensis significant increase in Monocyte percentage & significant decrease in the Platelet count in comparison to Normal Control group.The significant increase in Monocyte percentage is in accordance with the property of estrogens to mediate its effect through estrogen receptor in monocytes. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]