A TOXICITY STUDY ON

KANTHA CHENDRUM
Dissertation Submitted To
THE TAMIL NADU DR.M.G.R Medical University
Chennai – 32

In Partial fulfillment for The Award of Degree of

DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (SIDDHA)
(Branch – VI, Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum)

Department of Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum

Government Siddha Medical College
Palayamkottai – 627 002

March - 2008
 CERTIFICATE

Certified that I have gone through the dissertation submitted by

Dr. K. Benitta, a student of final M.D.(S) BranchVI- Nanju Noolum

Maruthuva Neethi Noolum of this college and the dissertation work has been

carried out by the individual only. This dissertation does not represent or

reproduce the dissertation submitted and approved earlier.

Place : Palayamkottai

Date :

Branch VI

Nanju Noolum

Maruthuva Neethi Noolum

Govt. Siddha Medical College

Palayamkottai .
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First, I thank ALMIGHTY and SIDDHARS for all their

showered blessings and moral support which is the ultimate

source of my success.

I thank God for giving me loving parents and expresses my

whole hearted gratitude to my parents Tmt.Vadivu and

Thiru.S.Kasi for their valuable support and blessing in my

career from the very beginning.

I wish to express my gratitude and acknowledgement to the

VICE – CHANCELLOR, the Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical

University, Chennai, THE COMMISSIONER, Commissonerate of

Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, Chennai and JOINT

DIRECTOR of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, Chennai.

I also wish to convey my deep gratitude to our principal

DR. M. THINAKARAN M.D (S) and Prof. DR. R. DEVARAJAN

M.D. (S) Vice- Principal. Govt. Siddha Medical College,

Palayamkottai for patronizing the work by providing all the

necessary facilities.
 I express my deep sense of gratitude to DR. R. KAMALAM

M.D. (S), H.O.Di\c and to Asst. Lecture, Dr.M. THIRUTHANI

M.D(S) Department of Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum,

Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai for their kind and

affectionate encouragement to my work.

I am extremely grateful to Prof. DR. S.P. PANDIPERUMAL

M.D (S), Prof. DR. V. ATHILAKSHMI M.D. (S) our previous

H.O.D., Department of Nanju Noolum Maruthuva Neethi

Noolum, Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai for their

kind and affectionate encouragement to my work.

I am thankful to DR.N.CHANDRA MOHAN DOSS M.D(S)

Previous lecturer, Department of Nanju Noolum Maruthuva

Neethi Noolum, Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai for

their kind and affectionate encouragement to my work.

I express my deep sense of gratitude to Prof. DR. P.A.

MOHAMED IQBAL M.D(S) , Head of the Department of Nanju

Noolum Maruthuva Neethi Noolum ( Retired) Govt.Siddha

Medical College, Palayamkottai for their valuable guidance and

suggestion in carrying out this dissertation

 I express my deep sense of gratitude to Prof.

Dr. V. PARAMASIVAM B.Sc., M.D. (PATHO), M.D (F.M), H.O.D.

of Pathology department, Tirunelveli Medical College, Tirunelveli

without which Histopathology work would not have been

completed.

I am also thankful to Prof. N. NAGAPREMA, M.Sc., Head

of the Department and all the staffs, of department of Bio

Chemistry, Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai for their

help in Biochemical analysis for this work.

I take this opportunity to express my deep sense of

gratitude to MR. M. KALAIVANAN M.Sc., and other staffs of

department of Pharmacology (P.G) Govt.Siddha Medical College,

Palayamkottai for their help during the entire course of my work.

Whole heartly I thank Mr.M.E.FULTON JOSE NEWMAN

M.Sc.,M.phil, H.O.D, Medicinal Botany Department,

Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai for his valuable help

and guidance.

On this occasion I thanks to DR. S. BAGIRATHI M.B.B.S.,

Head and other Staffs of department of Clinical pathology for the

Hematological studies of this dissertation.

 I cordially register my thanks to the Librarian

MRS. T. POONKODI M.A., B. LIS, and Library staff,

Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai for their help in

literary collections.

On this occasion I thank to THE PRINCIPAL, St.Xavier’s

Arts and Science college, Palayamkottai for his help in literary

collections.

It is my important duty to take this opportunity to

acknowledgement my colleagues DR. K. SIVAKUMAR M.D (S) a

DR. V. MURUGESAN M.D (S), and DR. R. MANIKANDAN

M.D(S) Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai for their help

in medicine preparation and literary correction, for this

dissertation work.

I am very thankful to Selwyn’s BROAD BAND NETCAFE

Palayamkottai for their Co-operation in bringing out this

dissertation work in an excellent format.

 CONTENTS

Page no

Acknowledgement

I. Introduction 1

II. Aim and Objective 5

III. Materials and Methods 6

IV. Review of literature

A. Siddha Aspects 7

B. Botanical Aspects 21

C. Chemical Aspects 25

D. Toxicological Aspects 30

V. Anubanam 36

VI. Bio – Chemical Analysis 42

VII. Toxicity Studies 46

A. Acute toxicity study 51

B. Chronic toxicity study 62

VIII. Summary 71

IX. Discussion 74

X. Conclusion 77

XI. Bibliography
 INTRODUCTION

Nature and human beings are the wonderful creation of

God. Pray and thank the god for creating nature, lands, water,

air, resources, rain etc for living being for their better survival. It

is the ultimate duty of the human beings, to protect the nature

and live in harmony with nature.

Siddha system of medicine is originated from Lord Shiva,

the supreme God and he is also considered to be chief of

siddhar’s and chief of sangam poets,

“nrhy;yplNt Njtpf;F rjh rptd; whd;

nrhy;yNt Njtpf;F ee;jp nrhy;y

ey;; yplNt ee;jp jd; te;; jphpf;Fr; nrhy;;y

eaKld; jd;te;jphp aRtdpf;Fr; nrhy;y

my;yplNt aRtdpahj; Njth;; jhKk;

mfj;;jpah; Fiuj;jplNt ak;Kdpe;jud;

Gy;yplNt Gyj;;jpah;f; FgNjrpf;f

Gyj;;jpaUk; Njiuaw;; Fg; Gfd;wpl;lhNu.”

A+fp itj;jpa rpe;jhkzp 800.

The siddha system of medicine was developed by the

siddhars. Siddhars are not only physicians, but also social

reformers.

1
 The word siddhar is derived from the term “SIDDHI” means

perfection or achievement. According to siddha system of

medicine human beings and nature are inseparable and

interdependent.

“mz;lj;jp Ys;sNj gpz;; lk;

gpz;lj;;jp Ys;sNj mz;; lk;

mz;lKk; gpz;lKk; xd;; Nw

mwpe;Jjhd;; ghh;f;Fk; NghNj”.

.!sm<mLeq!fqg{<M/!

The human body is composed of five basic elements called,

land, air, water, fire, and ether, which maintain the integrity of

nature humours called Vadha, Pitha, Kapha is fixed ratio

1:1/2:1/4.

“kpfpDk;; FiwapDk; Neha;nra;Ak; E}Nyhh;; ;

tspKjyh vz;zpa %d;W”

.!kqVg<Gxt</!

If there is rise or down in the ratio, disease will occur. The

diagnosis is based upon the three dosha theory.

Siddhars have understood the relation between

panchapootham, taste and uyir thathukkal.

2
Enippu – Appu + Prithivi

Pulippu – Prithivi + Theyu Vatham – Vayu+ Aagayam

Uppu – Theyu + Appu Pitham - Theyu

Karppu – Vayu + Theyu Kabam - Appu + Prithivi

Kaippu – Vayu + Aagayam

Thuvarppu – Prithivi + Vayu.

According to the above principles siddhars prepared

different medicines for different diseases. The siddha medicines

basically deals the maladies with the tapping up of Herbals,

minerals, and animal products. They are classified in to

Agamarunthugal – 32 (Internal medicines) and Puramarunthugal

32 (External medicines).

Herbals are most widely used for the ailments. When the

herbals are lesser effective for remedies, the metals and minerals

are used. This could be known by the verse

“Nth;ghU jioghU kpQ;rpdf;fhy; nky;y nky;y

gw;g nre;J}uk; ghNu”

Agathiyar pininool – 80

As the metallic drugs are used, where the herbals fail, it

indicates its erotic action. But the usage of which could be done,

with utmost purification. The process of purifying a drug is

essential and a must thing where its toxicity is overwhelmed.

3
 Author’s dissertation topic Kantha Chenduram is

described in Gunapadam Thathu, Jeeva vaguppu. Kantham

comes under ulogam. Kantha chenduram is particularly effective

in diseases like pandu and sobai.

Any drug has got the possibility of becoming toxic, when it

exceeds the prescribed dosage and duration.

In this presenting scenario,as a student of postgraduate in

toxicology, it is my prime duty to prove the value of theoretical

knowledge of siddha medicines through scientific experiments.

4
 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Kantha chenduram is the drug of choice for pandu and

sobai caused by various etiologies. Nowadays many people are

suffering from pandu and sobai.

Kantha chenduram is widely used in general practice by

siddha physicians. So, to access its safety, the author has

selected this drug for toxicological study.

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the toxic effect of

Kantha chenduram on albino rats under varying conditions of

drug administration.

The studies include the following

• Acute toxicity study

• Chronic toxicity study

• Haematological Investigations and Biochemical

analysis of medicine Kantha chenduram.

• Histopathological study of the organs such as kidney,

heart, and liver in albino rats.

5
 MATERIALS AND METHODS

PURIFICATION:

Take required quantity of kantham. Heat the kantham in

fire and soak in horse gram decoction. Repeat the process up to

7-21 times. Use fresh decoction for each process.

PREPARATION:

Purified kantham – 35 gram

Vellerukku flower juice – Required amount.

Take purified kantham, grind the kantham with vellerukku

flower juice for 12 hrs. Then put pudam in usual way with 25

cow’s dung cakes. Repeat the process again 3 times.

Dose:

1 or 2 Fd;wpkzp vil

130 mgm (or) 260 mgm

Anubanam:

Honey

Curable disease:

Naleer suram

Pandu

6
 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

SIDDHA ASPECTS

Kantham is a thathu sarakku. Most of the siddha

literatures are dealing, with the drug kantham and so, it shows

the importance of kantham in curing the disease. All most all

the siddhars in their works have stated that information about

kantham, purification of kantham and its indication, for the

usage with the adjuvant. Some of the siddha literatures have

mentioned about the preparation of kantha vessel for the

prolongation of life.

Theraiyar in his work, has stated that kantham is better

than iron in curing the diseases and the same has been stated

as

“,Uk;gpDq;; fhe;jk; Nkd;ik

vd;gjt; tpUk;igf; $l

tpUk;gpAs; slf;fpf; nfhs;Sk;

Nkd;;ikap dhyy; yhJ

ngUk;gpzp apdq;fl; nfy;yhk;

ngUk;Gyp nadT iuf;Fe;

jpUk;gT kitfl; nfy;yhe;

jpwk;ngW ed;G khNk”

7
The synonyms of kantham in siddha system of medicine are

!! rptNyhfr; Nrtfd<!!!! . Sivaloga Chevagan

juzpf;F ehjk; - Dharanikku Nadham

#j mq;Frk; - Soodha Angusam

etNyhfj; Jul;b - Navaloga Thuratti

fharpj;jpf;F ghj;jputhd< - Kaya siddhikku paththiravan

KUfd; Guhzk; - Murugan puranam.

CLASSIFICATION

Pramugam - “That variety which makes all kind of iron

move about”.

Kambagam - “That which kisses any other piece of

iron’’

Karshagam - “That which attracts another piece of iron.

Thiravagam - “That which can at once melt other sorts

of Iron.

Romagam - “That which when broken shoots forth

hair-like filaments.

Pramugam and Kambagam are useful for preparing

medicine for ailment of the disease.

Karshagam and Thiravagam are very useful for the general

health of the body.

Romagam is used for making Rasa kattu.

8
NILAM

Metal kantham is extracted from the ore magnetite. The

magnetite ore are mined from the mines in the mountain. So this

kantham belongs to kurinji.

KALAM

Magnetite ore is mined from the mountains through out

the year. There are no specific seasons for the extraction of

kantham.

SUVAI

Astringent in taste. Some sour, bitter.

VEERIYAM: Heat

ACTIONS:

- Haematinic

- Alterative

- Nutrient

In Agathiyar vaithiya rathina surukkam kantham is one of

the “ Thiri loga chenduram”

“ Nfsg;gh jphpNyhfr; nre;J}uj;ijf;

nfl;bahk; Nyhfkg; gpufq; fhe;jk; ”

9
Its also one of the “Panchaloga chenduram”

“Nfslh gQ;rNyhf nre;J}uj;ijf

Nfby;yh jq;fnkhL nts;sp nrk;G

ehslh fhe;jNkh bUk;gpt; ite;Jk;

eykhf Rj;jp nra;J rhpaha; $l;b”

Bohar has included Kantham as one among 120

uparasams. He has stated this as

“fz;L nfhs; Sgurj;jpd; tifiar; nrhy;Ntd;

fhe;jNkh lg;gpufe; JUR fd;dhh;.”!!

Common characters:

In Padhartha Guna Chinthamani, the indications for

kantham have been studied as below,

“fhe;jj;jhw; Nrhig Fd;kk; fhkpy Nkfk;ghz;L

Nrh;e;j jphpNjhlk; ntl;il rPjq;fhy; - Xa;; ; ; e;jgrp

NgUjuq; fz;; Nzha; gpukpa ePuhikAk; Nghk;

Xhpdpiw ahASWk; cz;.”

In the form of chenduram, kantham is very useful for following

diseases as studied in Padhartha Guna chinthamani

10
 “fhe;jr; nre; J}uq; fUjhpa Te;jptyp

Nghe;j tjp rhuRuk; Nghtjd;wp – the;jpfg

fhrR thrtpid fhkhiy ghz;L NthL

G+rypLk; Nehaidj;Jk; Nghk;”.

Pandu, Kamalai, Suram, Vaanthi, Unthivali,

Athisaram,Kasa suvasam.

SUPPORTIVE DRUG

Iron, Velli, Nagam, Chembu, Pooram, Kanthagam,

Thangam, Vangam, Karpooram.

NON SUPPORTIVE DRUG

Navacharam, Vediuppu, Thurusu, Apragam, Vengakaram,

Venkalam, Nimilai, Veeram, Manosilai, Gowri, Silasathu,

Pooneeru, Mirutharsingi.

SPECIAL CHARACTER OF KANTHAM

• Milk boiled in the magnetic vessel has the action of

haematinic. When milk is boiled in the magnetic vessel it

does not brim out of the vessel. This is the pivotal

characteristic feature of magnet.

• The water filled in the magnetic vessel does allow the oil
drop placed on the surface of it to spread.

11
PURIFICATION OF OTHER METHOD

a. Boil the kantham with kadineer and horse gram

decoction. Then wash with water.

b. Soak the kantham in lemon juice, kadi, buttermilk

respectively for 3 days and wash it.

c. Boil the kantham in lemon juice,kadi and then soak it, in

the juice of cow dung for 7 times.

OTHER PREPARATION OF KANTHA CHENDURAM

I. Grind kantham with aloe (kumari) juice and put pudam in

usual way with 20 cow’s dung cakes. Repeat the process with

each of the following juice

ƒ Vilam pattai juice

ƒ Murungai pattai juice

ƒ Lime juice.

Dose: ½ to 1 grain.

Anubanam: Honey.

Curable diseases:

Butter - Meganoikal

Water - Surapinigal

Elam - Kaba noi

Cow’s milk - Kasanoi

Goat’s milk - Pakka soolai

12
II. Kantham - 4 gq;F!

Kanthagam - 1 gq;F!

Grind the kantham and kanthagam with erukku latex,

arasampattai decoction, sirupeelai decoction, kanchori

decoction. Then put the pudam in usual way. Repeat the

process again for 3 times. Add half amount of lingam to the

final product, grind with poonaikali decoction. Then put the

pudam for 3 times.

Dose: 60-120 mg.

Anubanam: Honey

Curable disease:

Pandu

Sobai

Kamalai

Mahodharam.

III. Kantham - 8 gyk;

Lemon juice - 1 gyk;!

Grind the kantham with lemon juice for 3 hrs. Next day add

the lemon juice and grind for 3 hrs. Repeat the process again

next day. Then put the pudam in usual way with 100 dung

cakes.

Dose: 3 – 4 Fd;wpkzp vil

Anubanam: Elam, Kasa kasa, Narseeragam, Milagu powder

13
 Curable diseases:

Pitha pandu

Sobai

Manjal Noi

Kirani,

Moola vayu.

IV. 1. Lode Stone - 300 gm

2. Sulphur - 300 gm

3. Lead wort root powder - Sufficient Quantity

4. Eclipta Juice - Sufficient Quantity

5. Lime Juice - Sufficient Quantity

6. Milk - Sufficient Quantity

7. Egg Albumin - Sufficient Quantity

8. Madar latex - Sufficient Quantity

Grind 1 and 2 with 4 for 24 hrs, make cakes, dry and calcined.

Take the product and equal weight of sulphur and grind with 4

for 24 hrs and calcine as usual. Collect the resultant final

product and add equal quantity of sulphur and grind with 5,

and calcine. Similarly calcine twice using milk and egg albumin

for grinding each time and adding equal weight of sulphur and

lead wort root powder each time. Finally grind the product with

madar latex and calcine.

14
 Take the product for use, after six calcinations. The chenduram

should be blackish purple in colour.

Dose: 50 to 100 mg

Anubanam: honey with Thayir chundi choornam

Indications:

Microcytic anaemia

Anaemia

Chlorosis

Obesity

Edema

Scrotal swelling

Rheumatic diseases

Enlargement of liver and spleen.

V. Purified magnet - 4 grams

Purified Iron filings - 4 grams

Process:

Triturate in a mortar for seven and a half hrs with juice of

Aloe petal, make lozenges and dry. Pack in crucibles. Burn with

20 cow dung cakes. Repeat process 7 times.

Dose: 60 to 180 mg

Anubanam : Honey

15
 Indications:

Anaemia

Jaundice

Chlorosis

Chronic diarrhea

Myalgia.

VI. Purified Kantham - 8 gm

Finely powdered root barkers of cassia auriculata – 8 gm

Triturate together with the juices of Aloe leaf pulp for 12

hrs, make small lozenges, dry, encloses in a fled bottomed clay

pot, apply a coverlid seal, burn over the hearth adjusting in

moderate degrees to conflagration for 12 hrs, set aside after 12

hrs. Collect, the lozenges finely powder and store.

Dose: 30 to 120 mg

Anubanam: Honey

Indications:

A specific for spure

Chronic diarrheas

Anaemia

Chlorosis

16
 VII. Kantham - 8 Palam

Naval pattai juice - required quantity.

Grind well kantham with naval pattai juice for 3 hrs. Make

it into villais, place the villai, between 2 mud plates, and cover

seelaimun. Put varaga pudam in usual way. Again the

processes 3 times.

Dose: 130 to 260 mg

Anubanam: Honey

Curable disease:

Pandu

Sobai

Pasienmai

Pitha mayakkam

Pitha vayu

Kanachoodu

Other medicines prepared from kantham

Megachinthamani Chenduram

Drugs

a. Magnet

Coral
Each 2 parts
Gold leaf

Sulphur

17
b. Reduced mica
Each 5 parts
Mercury

Triturate in a stone mortar gold leaf and mercury together

until the mercury completely disappears and add sulphur and

triturate well until everything becomes black, and the add other

ingredients one by one and triturate well with the root juice of

Aloe’s for 10 hrs and dry within the mortar it self. Take a flask

(kassi kuppi) cover it with 7 layers of clay and dry. Place the

powder in the flask pack the mouth with a piece of soft slate

stone and seat with clay cloth and dry.

Take a clay pot, to hold fill quarter of it with fine sand.

Place in the centre the prepared flask and fill up on all sides

with more sand up to the brim of the flask. Place the clay pot

over hearth and burn with fire wool for 10 hrs, first low fire and

gradually increase the fire. Remove the flask after it is cooled,

break the glass flask and carefully scrap off the contents, place

in a mortar and triturate with aloe root juice again for 10 hrs,

make into lozenges, dry, and pack in clay pan, crucibles, and

seal with clay cloth and burn with 10 or 12 cow dung cakes, if

the quantity of the preparation is below 2 grams, or increase

the cakes if it is more. Cool and see if the lozenges show any

glittering of Gold, if so, repeat triturating with above root juice,

18
 and burn with cow dung cakes until the glittering disappears

which will be alright in 2 or 3 burning.

Dose: 60 – 120 mg

Anubanam : Ghee or butter

Indications :

An excellent preparation for diabetes and rebuild the

saptha thaathus of the body.

Ayakantha Chenduram

Ayam - 1 palam

Gandakam - 1 palam

Kantham - ¼ palam

Vengaram

Lingam

Padikaram

Pooneeru 1/8 palam

Induppu

Navacharam

Karpooram

Grind the above for 2 days with the lime juice and make

small cakes and dry them in the sun. Put pudam with 50 cow

dung cakes. The colour of the chenduram must be red. If the

19
required colour is not attained in one pudam, repeat the process

twice.

Dose : 1 to 2 grains

Anubanam : Honey

Indications :

All varieties of pandu

Swayamagni Chenduram

Irumbu podi - 4 parts

Kantham - 8 parts

Rasam - 16 parts

Gandakam - 32 parts

Powder Gandakam well and add Rasam little by little,

grinding each time till it mixes well and becomes black powder

and add the other two and grind with Aloe juice for 6 hrs. Make

a cake of it and place of, in a bronze plate and expose it to hot

sun. When black fumes come out of the cake, it is the indication

that the medicine is completed in its process.

Dose: 1 – 2 grains

Anubanam: Honey, ghee, seeraka churanam or chundai

churanam

20
Indications:

Vatha Gunman

Mahodharam

Moolam

Girahani

Athisaram..

Kanthaparpam

Grind the kantham with siriyanangai juice for 3 days.

Make lozenges of it and dry them in the sun, put pudam with

100 cow dung cakes.

Dose: 488 mgm

Anubanam: Chukku, Pomegranate juice

Indications:

Pandu

Chalakalichal

Piramegam

Neerchurukku

21
 BOTANICAL ASPECTS

VELLERUKKU

According to Bentham and Hooker’s classification

Kingdom : Vegetable kingdom

Division : Spermatophyta

Subdivision : Angiospermae

Class : Dicotyledonae

Subclass : Gamopetalae

Series : Bicarpellate

Order : Gentianales

Family : Asclepidaceae

Genus : Calatrophis

Species : Procera

Synonyms:

Tamil : Vellerukku

Siddha : Vellai erukku

Ayurvedha : Shivetarka

Eng : Swallow wark

Hindi : Safted Ak

Sanskrit : Alarka

Marathi : Mandara

Family : Asclepidaceae

22
 Erect shrubs with soft, corky spongy bark. Flowers in

umbrella cymes. Follicle ellipsoid.

Chemical constituents:

• Plant contains cardenolide, proceragenin

• Root bark contains benzoylinesolone and

benzoylisolinelone.

• Leaves and stalks contains calotropine, calotropagenin.

• Flowers contain calotropheylacetate, steroidal,

hydroxyketone procesterol, multiflavenol, cyclosadol, B

sitosterol, α amyrin, β amyrin, stigmosterol.

• Latex contains uzarigenin, syriogenin proceroside.

Pothu gunam:

“typapd; typfSf;F khthj re;jp

vypapd; tp\Q; Ruq;fnsy;yhk; - typaw;Wf;

fhiyj; njhONj flw;Gf;Fk; nts;nsUf;fQ;

ghiy njhLthiug; ghh;”.

Uses:

™ The dry leaves are either smoked or the smoke from the

burning leaves is inhaled for curing asthma and cough.

™ A decoction of the leaves is used for extracting taenia worms.

™ The leaf juice is applied for skin diseases.

23
™ The root bark is

• Chologogue

• Diaphoretic

• Emetic

• Alterative

• Diuretic

™ The latex is used is

• Leprosy

• Taenia

• Dropsy

• Rheumatism etc.

™ The flowers are

• Tonic

• Stomachic

• Digestive.

They are given in cough, cold, asthma etc.

The root of Calotropis procera is highly poisonous to, cobra

and other poisonous snakes, which cannot stand even its

smell.

24
 CHEMICAL ASPECTS

Magnetite is a type of iron oxide with natural magnetic

properties. In fact it is the most magnetic, naturally occurring

mineral on earth and was once used in composes. Magnetite

occurs in nearly all igneous and metamorphic rocks though

usually only in small particle or in a solution with other

minerals.

• Chemical Formula : Fe3O4

• Class : Oxides and Hydroxide

• Group : Spinal

• Uses : Major ore of iron and as

mineral

• Composition : Molecular weight 231.54 gm

Iron 72.36 % Fe

31.03 % Feo

68.07 % Fe2O3

Oxygen : 27.64 %

• Empirical formula : Fe3+2Fe3+O4

• Environment : Common accessory mineral in

igneous and metamorphic

rocks.

25
 • Locality : Many localities and

Environments world wide.

• Name of origin : Named for Magnes, a Greek

shepherd, who discovered the mineral on mountain Ida. He

noted that the nails of his shoe and Iron ferrule of his staff

clung to a rock

• Synonym : Lodestone

Magnetic iron ore.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MAGNETITE

• Colour : Grayish black, Iron black

• Cleavage : None

• Luster : Metallic to dull.

• Diaphaneity : Opaque

• Streak : Black

• Luminescence : None

• Hardness : 5.5 – 6.5 knife Blade-

Orthoclase

• Specific gravity : 5.17 – 5.18

• Transparency : Crystal are opaque

• Crystal System : Is isometric, 4/m bare 32/m

• Crystal habits are typically octahedrons but rarely

rhomododeccehedron and other isometric forms, most

26
 commonly found massive or granular. Twinning of

octahedrons into spinal law trains is seen occasionally.

• Cleavage is absent although octahedral parting can be seen

on some specimens.

• Fracture is conchoidal

• Associated minerals are talc and chlorite pyrite and

hematite.

• Other characteristics: Magnetism stronger is massive

example than in crystals, striations on crystal faces.

• Best field Indicator is magnetism, crystal habit and streak.

Iron oxides:

1. Iron II oxide (Feo) (Ferrous oxide)

2. Iron III oxide (or) ferric oxide Fe2O3 (Hematite) Red iron

oxide

3. Iron II, III oxide (or) ferrous ferric oxide (Fe3O4) Magnetite –

Black coloured Magnetite

4. FeO (OH) Yellow iron oxide

5. (Fe2O3.H2O) hydrated iron oxide yellow iron oxide.

27
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Magnetite is another form of biological iron derived

apparently from the iron in ferritin.

Heating the hydrous oxide to 2000C, gives red brown

Fe2O3. The structure comprised a hexagonally close packed

lattice of O2- ions with Fe3+ ions in the two thirds of the

octahedral holds. However, if Fe2O4 is oxidized Fe2O3 is formed

which has a cubic close packed arrangement of 2- ions randomly

distributed in both the octahedral and tetrahedral sites.

Fe3O4 is formed as a black solid by igniting Fe2O3 at

14000C, Fe3O4 is mixed oxide. FeII Fe2IIIO4 and has an inverse

spinal structure. The O2- ions are cubic close packed with the

larger Fe2+ in one quarter of the octahedral holes. Fe2O3, Fe3O4

all tend to be nonstorchiometic.

The oxide Fe3O4 occurs as the mineral magnetite. It is a

FeII FeIII mixed oxide with inverse spinal structure with FeII in

octahedral interstices and FeIII ions half in tetrahedral and half

in octahedral interstices of a cubic close-packed array of oxide

irons. The electrical conductivity is probably due to rapid valence

oscillation between the Fe stir. It can be made by oxidation of

28
Fe2+ with alkaline KNO3 in the presence of phosphate or by

reaction of acidified jocosities.

Magnetic materials are classified as

1. Dia magnetism

2. Para magnetism according to their properties in a

magnetic field.

Diamagnetism is based on orbital motion of the

electrons and is induced by the applied magnetic field.

Paramagnetic substances are characterized by one or more

unpaired electrons, magnetization is aligned parallel to the

external field.

In solid bodies, strong interaction may develop between

adjacent mons. So that spontaneous magnetization results. Pure

magnetic iron oxide particles used as diagnostic agent in nuclear

MRI.

29
 TOXICOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Iron Salts:

Action: Irritant

Signs and symptoms

Gastritis

Haemetemisis

Encephalopathy

Diarrhoea

Fatal dose : Uncertain

Fatal Period: Uncertain

Treatments

Gastric Lavage

Leave dilute NaHCo3 in stomach

Electrolyte correction

Desferrioxamine

Medico legal point and poison sources: Accidental through

over dosage.

30
 IRON OVERLOAD DISEASES

Iron overload diseases such as Thalassemia,

hemochromatosis are usually genetic and are extremely common

in many part of the world. In places, such as South East Asia it

constitutes a major public health problem. In Australia the gene

for hemochromatosis is carried by about 1% of the population.

Iron accumulate in patients and precipitates in various

part of the body in the form of iron oxyhydroxide encapsulated

by the protein ferritin.

Iron is stored in the tissues in 2 forms Ferritin and

Haemosiderin.

Then it leads to haemosiderosis. Accordingly the effects of

haemosiderrin excess are as under.

i. Localised haemosiderosis :

This develops whenever there is haemorrhage into tissues

with lysis of red cells, haemoglobin is liberated which is taken up

by macrophages where it is degraded and stored as

hemosiderrin.

For example

Black eye

Brown indurations lung

31
ii. Generalised haemosiderosis

Systemic overload with iron may result in generalized

haemosiderosis.

Generalised or systemic overload of iron may occur due to

following causes.

a. Increased erythropoietic activity

b. Excessive intestinal absorption

c. Excessive intake of dietary iron

Parenchymal deposits:

Liver, Pancreas, Kidney, Heart, Skin

RE cell deposits:

Liver, Spleen, Bone marrow

Transmission electron – micrograph of iron particles

encapsulated in the spherical protein shell of ferritin. Each

particle is about 7nm across. The iron oxide particles appear

because they are electron dense.

An R2 image of an iron loaded human liver, superimposed

on a T2 weighted cross sectional image of the patient: The bright

region indicates areas of higher concentration. The darker areas

correspond to regions of lower iron concentration.

32
 The blood test such as serum ferritin and transferritin

saturation are used for assessing the degree of iron overload in

these patients, these test can be confounded by factors such as

the presence of infection and inflammation. In order to make a

definitive measurement of the degree of iron overload, the widely

accepted method is chemical analysis of iron from liver Needle

Biopsy specimen.

33
 OTHER ASPECTS

Magnetic Therapy is complementary or an alternative way

to enhance the relief of discomfort and the body’s natural healing

process. According to human physiology, the first thing to know

is that the human body is an electromagnetic organism.

Electricity flows through the nerves in our body as the same way

electricity flow through an electrical wire. All cells have two

magnetic poles, north and south, in their DNA.

Magnetic therapy today

Today in Japan and other Asian countries, therapeutic

magnets are licensed as medical devices, Contemporary western

medicine uses forms of magnetic energy for diagnosis, for

example in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and as an aid to

accelerate the healing process, following breaks and fractures in

bone structure. Magnetic therapy is now gaining widespread

acceptance from the US medical community (recent testimonials)

and it is becoming increasingly popular among osteopaths,

physiotherapists and chiropractors as a means of treating a wide

range of health problems, including chronic back discomfort,

arthritis, and sporting injuries.

34
Scientists have studies magnet therapy for the following

health problems

Fracture healing

Osteoarthritis

Many types of pain

Ankle pain

Knee pain

Back pain

35
 ANUBANAM - VEHICLE

Definition

Anubanam in abstract sense means concurrent therapy

where conjoint administration of application of some specific

liquid solid and semi solid drugs before, after or along with other

drugs is made so that due to this combined effect gives a better

therapeutic result which otherwise is impossible, is achieved.

Anubanam also means those drugs that are used in combination

with the main drug “Kantha chenduram is usually administered

with Honey” as Anubanam.

Honey

Foraging bees start out by sucking nectar a dilute solution

of sugars in flower. Then, they mix the nectar with enzymes in

their stomach like honey sacs. Back at the hive, the forages

pass the digested material to house bees, which reduce the

moisture content of the mixture by ingesting and regurgitating

it. Then they deposit concentrated drops in to honeycomb cells.

New honey taken from the comb seems to be clean plate and

sweet in taste.

Taste character may vary depending upon the source.

Honey contains simple sugars, metals, vitamins etc. Honey is

absorbed very quickly within 12 Nazhigai. Hence it gives energy

36
immediately. Binding of honey with the main drug also absorbed

very quickly and the maximum quantity of parpam or

chenduram also taken along with the honey. It is better to

prescribe, the administration of bitter drugs with honey

especially in children.

Actions:

1. Demulcent

2. Laxative

3. Astringent

4. Expectorant

5. Carminative

6. Hypnotic

7. Diuretic

Honey decreases the intestinal motility and promotes

urination in children.

There are 5 types

1. Malai thaen

2. Kombu thaen

3. Mara bonthu thaen

4. Puttru thaen

5. Manai thaen

Among this malai thaen is the best, to be used as a vehicle.

37
New honey:

Indications:

It will give energy, thejas and increase the life span – In

large dose dyspepsia may occur.

Old honey:

Indications:

Vatha diseases, burning sensation of abdomen, vatha

moolam etc may occur. It will destroy all the good effects of the

drug which we take.

Purification of Honey:

1. Commercial honey may contain wax, honey bee eggs, worm

and pollens. It is filtered in wool.

2. Honey is purified by the immersion of red hot mud odu.

Uses:

1. Honey is used usually in leheyam, mezhugu etc.

2. It is the best vehicle for the administration of parpam,

chenduram, choornam, tablet etc.

3. Honey has demulcent action; hence it will reduce the

ulceration or gastritis which may occur by the main drug.

4. It is used as laxative. It is also used for treating

indigestion, sinusitis, cough, tuberculosis.

38
 5. It was also used for preserving the cadaver (e.g. King

Alexander) hence it has the activity of preserving the body

and prolongs life.

6. Honey with ghee in equal quantity may produce toxic

effects.

7. Honey has an excellent antibacterial properties, that can

help in healing process of sore.

8. To prevent and stop possible bacteria growth and to soothe

the pain of a sore throat, take one teaspoon of honey, 3-5

times a day. Let the honey melt in the mouth first, and

then swallow it slowly to coat the throat.

Characters:

It is a viscid saccharin substance, semi translucent liquid

of yellow brown colour with an aromatic odour and a sweet taste.

Composition of honey:

Nutritional value per 100g

Energy 300 kcal, 1270 kj

Carbohydrates 82.4 g

• Sugars 82.12g

• Dietary fiber 0.2g

Fat 0g

Protein 0.3g

Water 17.10g

39
 Honey is a mixture of sugars and other compounds. With

respect to carbohydrates, honey is mainly fructose (about 38.5%)

and glucose (about 31.0%). The remaining carbohydrates

include maltose, sucrose and other complex carbohydrates.

In addition, honey contains a wide array of vitamins, such

as vitamin B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.

Essential minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium,

manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc as well as

several different amino acids have been identified in honey.

Honey also contains several compounds which function as

anti-oxidants; known antioxidant compounds in honey are

chrysin, pinobarksin, vitamin C, catalase, and pinicembrin.

Unlike most other sweeteners, honey contains small amounts of

a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and

antioxidants.

The specific composition of any batch of honey will depend

largely on the mix of flowers consumed by the bees that

produced the honey. Honey has a density of about 1.5 kg/liter

(50% denser than water) or 12.5 pounds per US gallon.

40
Typical honey analysis

• Fructose: 38%

• Glucose: 31%

• Sucrose: 1%

• Water: 17%

• Other sugars: 9% (maltose)

• Ash: 0.17%

The analysis of the sugar content of honey is used for

detecting adulteration.

41
 BIO – CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF KANTHA

CHENDURAM

Preparation of the extract:

100 mg of chenduram is weighed accurately and placed

into a clean beaker and a few drops of conc. Hydrochloric acid

and is added evaporated well. After evaporation cooled the

content and added a few drops of conc. Nitric acid and

evaporated it well. After cooling the content add 20ml of distilled

water and dissolved it well. Then it is transferred to 100 ml

volumetric flask and made up to 100 ml with distilled water.

Mix well. Filter it. Then it is taken for analysis.

Qualitative Analysis:

S.No EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION INFERENCE

1 TEST FOR CALCIUM:

2 ml of the above A White Indicates the

prepared extract is taken precipitate presence of

in a clean test tube. To is formed. calcium.

this add 2 ml of 4%

Ammonium oxalate

solution is added.

42
2 TEST FOR SULPHATE:

2 ml of the extract is A white precipitate Indicates the

added to 5% barium is formed presence of

chloride solution. sulphate

3 TEST FOR CHLORIDE: Indicates the

The extract is treated with A white precipitate presence of

silver nitrate solution is formed chloride

4 TEST FOR CARBONATE: No brisk Absence of

The substance is treated effervescence is carbonate

with concentrated HCL formed

5 TEST FOR ZINC:

The extract is added with No white Absence of zinc

potassium ferrocyanide precipitate

6 TEST FOR IRON:

Ferric: The extract is Blue colour is Indicates the

treated with glacial acetic formed presence of

acid and potassium ferro ferric iron.

cyanide

6 TEST FOR IRON:

Ferrous: The extract is No blood red Absence of

treated with concentrated colour is formed ferrous iron

nitric acid and

ammonium thiocynate.

43
7 TEST FOR PHOSPHATE:

The extract is treated with No yellow Absence of

ammonium molybdate precipitate is phosphate

and concentrated nitric formed

acid

8 TEST FOR ALBUMIN:

The extract is treated with No yellow Absence of

Esbach’s reagent precipitate is albumin

formed

9 TEST FOR TANNIC ACID:

The extract is treated with No blue colour is Absence of

ferric chloride formed tannic acid

10 TEST FOR

UNSATURATION: It does not get Absence of

Potassium permanganate decolourised unsaturated

solution is added to the compound

extract

11 TEST FOR REDUCING

SUGAR:

5 ml of Benedict’s No colour change Absence of

qualitative solution is occurs reducing sugar

taken in a test tube and

44
 allowed to boil for 2 mts

and added 8-10 drops of

the extract and again boil

it for 2 mts.

12 TEST FOR AMINO ACID:

One or two drops of the No violet colour is Absence of

extract are placed on a formed amino acid.

filter paper and dried it

well. After drying 1%

Ninhydrin is sprayed over

the same and dried it well

Result:

The given sample of Kantha Chenduram contains

calcium, chloride, sulphate, and ferric iron.

45
 TOXICITY STUDY

Siddha system of medicine was introduced by the siddhars

many centuries before. They prescribed medicines for both

internal as well as external applications. For standardizing such

medicines it is necessary to evaluate whether they possess toxic

properties or not. So toxicity studies are conducted on the

animals like mice, albino rats etc. While doing animal study,

there are certain important things to be noted. They are given

below.

While doing toxicological studies we need the help of

following departments.

1. Medicinal botany and Pharmacognosy

2. Pharmacology

3. Biochemistry

4. Microbiology

5. Histopathology

6. Pharmacy

7. Animal House

8. Hospital

46
Selection of Animal species:

1. Usually animal experiments are conducted on mice, albino

rats, rabbit and dogs. Young and immature animals should

be selected for the study.

2. While selecting mice, it should be 20 – 25 gm weight and 8-

12 weeks growth.

3. In case of albino rats, it should be 180-200gm weight and

12 weeks growth.

4. Virgin animals should be selected.

Preparation of animals

1. Animals should be properly caged and should be fed

properly with adequate diet.

2. Allow the animals to be in the cage for 5 days before drug

administration in-order to make them accustomed to the

new environment.

3. The temperature maintained in the animal house should

be 19˚C - 25˚C and the humidity should be 30%

4. The animal house should be 12 hrs dark and the

remaining 12hrs full of light.

5. The test animal must be free from infections.

47
Preparation of test drug:

1. The drug should be soluble in honey, water or any other

liquid. So that it may be administered orally.

2. The drug should be stable

3. The drug should be prepared whenever necessary.

4. Drug should not have hyperacidity or hyper alkalinity and

high toxicity.

Preparation of the doses:

1. While doing animal study the dose of the drug given is

determined on the basis of body weight of the animal.

2. In case of mice and albino rat, the dose of the drug must

be 1ml for 100gm body weight.

3. When water soluble drugs are given, it must be

2ml/100gm body weight.

4. The adjuvant (anubanam) should not contain any toxicity.

PROCEDURE:

a. Administration of drug

During drug administration care should be taken that the

drug does not enter into the respiratory passage. Before drug

administration, the animal has to be fasted. In case of mice and

albino rat` the fasting period is 3hrs and 12hrs respectively. The

weight of the animal has to be noted before drug administration.

48
Then the drug is administered to the animal. After

administration of the drug, the animal should be fed after a

lapse of 1 to 2 hrs in mice and 3-4 hrs in albino rats.

b. Number of animals and dose levels

The dose of the drug given in the animal depends upon

1. Body weight of the animal, i.e. 1/8 of the human dose.

2. Metabolic rate of the animal

Human dose
Drug dose = X 5-8 times animal metabolic rate.
Average wt of the men

While conducting acute toxicity study the number of

animals in each group should be 5+5. Animals of both sex

should be used. In case of chronic toxicity study the animals are

divided into 3 groups, each group consisting of 5 animals.

Observation:

In acute toxicity study, the animals are carefully observed

during the first 30min and then observed for 24hrs. During that

period, the animal may show changes in the skin, eye, mucous

membrane, blood circulation, respiratory movements and the

neurological problems may arise.

In case of sub acute toxicity study, the animals have to be

observed for 28 days. For chronic toxicity study the animals

have to be observed for 90 days or sometimes up to 1 year.

49
Some researchers conduct the chronic toxicity study for the

whole life time of the animal.

Body weight of the animal:

The weight of the animal must be taken four times during

the course of study.

• First before drug administration.

• 1 week after drug administration.

• Then 2 weeks after drug administration.

• Finally before sacrificing the animal.

Data and report:

At the end of the animal study, the following data’s must

be given.

• Number of animals selected for the study.

• Number of animals died due to the toxicity of the drug

given.

• Number of animals sacrificed at the end of animal study.

• Changes in animal behaviour due to acute and chronic

toxicity.

• Histopathological changes in the internal organs such as

liver, kidney, heart etc.

50
 ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY

TOXICITY STUDY

The toxicity evaluation of Kantha chenduram is carried out

in two phases.

Phase I - Acute toxicity study

Phase II – Chronic toxicity study

Animals:

Wistar albino rats bred in the animal house attached to the

Post Graduate, Pharmacology Department, Govt. Siddha Medical

College, Palayamkottai were used.

Sex:

• Animals of both sexes were used.

Weight:

• Animals weighing between 80 – 120 gm were selected.

Food and water:

• The animals were maintained with standard animal feed

and water ad-libitum.

Number of animals:

30 rats were divided into 6 groups, each group consisting

of 5 rats.

51
Dose levels:

The following dose levels were arbitrarily fixed by

presuming range of least toxic to high toxic doses.

I Group Control

II Group 100mg/100gm body weight of animal

III Group 200mg/100gm body weight of animal

IV Group 400mg/100gm body weight of animal

V Group 800mg/100gm body weight of animal

VI Group 1600mg/100gm body weight of animal

Route of administration:

Oral administration.

Preparation of the test drug for administration:

The drug was weighed and taken. Then honey was added

as a suspending agent. The mixture was ground well before the

administration. The preparation was done in such a way so as

1ml of suspension contained 100mg of Kantha chenduram. The

drug was administered in the morning and observed.

52
OBSERVATIONS:

The following details are recorded

1. Stimulation

• Hyper activity

• Pyloerection

• Twitching

• Rigidity

• Irritability

• Jumping

• Clonic convulsion

• Tonic convulsion.

2. Depression

• Ptosis

• Sedation

• Sleep

• Loss of Pinna Reflex

• Ataxia

• Loss of muscle tone

• Analgesia

53
3. Autonomic effects

• Straub tail

• Laboured respiration

• Cyanosis

• Blanching

• Reddening

• Abnormal Secretion

At the end of 24 hours, the number of animals live or

dead in each group was noted and approximate LD 50 is

tried to determine.

The tabular column was made and the results were

analyzed.

54
 TABLE NO.1

SHOWS THE RESULTS OF ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF

KANTHA CHENDURAM, AT A CONTROL DOSE.

Observation At 1 hr At 2 hrs At 4 hrs At 24 hrs

I Stimulation:
Hyper activity - - - -
Pyloerection - - - -
Twitching - - - -
Rigidity - - - -
Irritability - - - -
Jumping - - - -
Clonic convulsion - - - -
Tonic convulsion - - - -
II DEPRESSION:
Ptosis - - - -
Sedation - - - -
Sleep - - - -
Loss of Pinna Reflex - - - -
Ataxia - - - -
Loss of muscle tone - - - -
Analgesia - - - -
III Autonomic effects:
Straub tail - - - -
Laboured respiration - - - -
Cyanosis - - - -
Blanching - - - -
Reddening - - - -
IV Number of animals - - - -
dead:
+ Positive sign - Negative sign

55
 TABLE NO.2

SHOWS THE RESULTS OF ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF

KANTHA CHENDURAM, AT A DOSE OF 100mg/100gm BODY

WEIGHT OF ANIMAL

Observation At 1 hr At 2 hrs At 4 hrs At 24 hrs

I Stimulation:
Hyper activity - - - -
Pyloerection - - - -
Twitching - - - -
Rigidity - - - -
Irritability - - - -
Jumping - - - -
Clonic convulsion - - - -
Tonic convulsion - - - -
II Depression:
Ptosis - - - -
Sedation - - - -
Sleep - - - -
Loss of pinna reflex - - - -
Ataxia - - - -
Loss of muscle tone - - - -
Analgesia - - - -
II.Autonomic effects:
Straub tail - - - -
Laboured respiration - - - -
Cyanosis - - - -
Blanching - - - -
Reddening - - - -
IV Number of animals - - - -
dead:
+ Positive sign - Negative sign

56
 TABLE NO .3

SHOWS THE RESULTS OF ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF

KANTHA CHENDURAM, AT A DOSE OF 200mg/100gm BODY

WEIGHT OF ANIMAL

Observation At 1 hr At 2 hrs At 4 hrs At 24 hrs

I Stimulation:
Hyper activity - - - -
Pyloerection - - - -
Twitching - - - -
Rigidity - - - -
Irritability - - - -
Jumping - - - -
Clonic convulsion - - - -
Tonic convulsion - - - -
II Depression
Ptosis - - - -
Sedation - - - -
Sleep - - - -
Loss of Pinna Reflex - - - -
Ataxia - - - -
Loss of muscle tone - - - -
Analgesia - - - -
III.Autonomic
effects:
Straub tail - - - -
Laboured respiration - - - -
Cyanosis - - - -
Blanching - - - -
Reddening - - - -
IV Number of animals - - - -
dead:
+ Positive sign - Negative sign

57
 TABLE NO.4

SHOWS THE RESULTS OF ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF

KANTHA CHENDURAM, AT A DOSE OF 400mg/100gm BODY

WEIGHT OF ANIMAL

Observation At 1 hr At 2 hrs At 4 hrs At 24 hrs

I Stimulation:
Hyper activity - - - -
Pyloerection - - - -
Twitching - - - -
Rigidity - - - -
Irritability - - - -
Jumping - - - -
Clonic convulsion - - - -
Tonic convulsion - - - -
II Depression:
Ptosis - - - -
Sedation - - - -
Sleep - - - -
Loss of Pinna Reflex - - - -
Ataxia - - - -
Loss of muscle tone - - - -
Analgesia - - - -
III Autonomic effects:
Straub tail - - - -
Laboured respiration - - - -
Cyanosis - - - -
Blanching - - - -
Reddening - - - -
IV Number of animals - - - -
dead:
+ Positive sign - Negative sign

58
 TABLE NO.5

SHOWS THE RESULTS OF ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF

KANTHA CHENDURAM, AT A DOSE OF 800mg/100gm BODY

WEIGHT OF ANIMAL

Observation At 1 hr At 2 hrs At 4 hrs At 24 hrs

I Stimulation:
Hyper activity - - - -
Pyloerection - - - -
Twitching - - - -
Rigidity - - - -
Irritability - - - -
Jumping - - - -
Clonic convulsion - - - -
Tonic convulsion - - - -
II Depression:
Ptosis - - - -
Sedation - - - -
Sleep - - - +
Loss of Pinna Reflex - - - -
Ataxia - - - -
Loss of muscle tone - - - -
Analgesia - - - -
III Autonomic effects:
Straub tail - - - -
Laboured respiration - - - -
Cyanosis - - - -
Blanching - - - -
Reddening - - - -
IV Number of animals - - - -
dead:
+ Positive sign - Negative sign

59
 TABLE NO.6

SHOWS THE RESULTS OF ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF

KANTHA CHENDURAM, AT A DOSE OF 1600mg/100gm

BODY WEIGHT OF ANIMAL

Observation At 1 hr At 2 hrs At 4 hrs At 24 hrs

I Stimulation:
Hyper activity - - - -
Pyloerection - - - -
Twitching - - - -
Rigidity - - - -
Irritability - - - -
Jumping - - - -
Clonic convulsion - - - -
Tonic convulsion - - - -
II Depression:
Ptosis - - - -
Sedation - - - -
Sleep - - - +
Loss of Pinna Reflex - - - -
Ataxia - - - -
Loss of muscle tone - - - -
Analgesia - - - -
III Autonomic effects:
Straub tail - - - -
Laboured respiration - - - -
Cyanosis - - - -
Blanching - - - -
Reddening - - - -
IV Number of animals - - - -
dead:
+ Positive sign - Negative sign

60
 RESULT

ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY

The said parameters in acute toxicity study were observed

on various six groups (Group-I, Group-II, Group-III, Group-IV,

Group-V, Group-VI). Group-I is the control and Group II to VI

were treated with the drug such as, 100mg, 200mg, 400mg, 800

mg, 1600mg/100 g body weight of the animal respectively. The

results were tabulated in Table-I to VI.

From the Table I – VI it is being found that the drug

“Kantha Chenduram” did not produce any mortality even up to

1600 mg/100 g body weight of the animal.

A very mild sign like sleep was observed only in animals

treated with 800mg/100g body weight of the animal and 1600

mg/100g body weight of the animal (Group V & VI level) and that

was even seen only after 24hrs.

Since it is practically difficult to give more than 1600

mg/100g body weight of the animal in this small species (Wistar

albino rats), it is unable to calculate the lethal dose in this

preliminary acute toxicity study.

So, it is inferred that the drug is safe up to 1600 mg/100g

body weight of the animal.

61
 CHRONIC TOXICITY STUDY

Introduction:

Kantha chenduram is used for the following conditions in

siddha system of Medicine.

• Pandu

• Sobai

• Kamalai

The duration of administration was 90 days. Since the

drug is usually given for a long term in chronic ailments. It was

decided to find out the chronic toxicity of the drug in

experimental animals.

Animals:

Wistar albino rats bred in the animal house attached to the

Post Graduate, Pharmacology Department, Govt. Siddha Medical

College, Palayamkottai were used.

Sex:

• Animals of both sex were used.

Weight:

• Animals weighing between 80 – 120 gm were selected.

Food and water:

• The animals were maintained with standard animal feed

and water ad-libitum.

62
Number of animals:

15 rats were divided into 3 groups each group consisting of

5 rats.

Selection of the dose :

2 doses were selected. These doses did not have any acute

toxicity effect and presumed to be safe for long term

administration in animals.

I Group Control

II Group 100mg/100gm body weight of animal

III Group 200mg/100gm body weight of animal

Route of administration:

Oral administration

Preparation of the drug for administration:

The drug was weighed and taken. Then honey was added

as suspending agent. The mixture was ground well before

administration. The preparation was done in such a way so as 1

ml of suspension contained 100mg of Kantha chenduram. The

prepared drug was administered. The drug was administered

once on the day of experiment.

63
Observation:

The following details were recorded before the beginning of

drug administration

1. Body weight of the animals

2. Haematological Investigations

a. WBC Total count

b. WBC Differential count

c. Haemoglobin %

d. SGOT,SGPT

The above parameters were recorded at 30 days, 60 days at

the end of the experiments and the results were tabulated.

The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and

were dissected. The viscera like Heart, Liver and Kidney were

removed from each animal and were preserved in 40% formalin

and sent for Histo-pathological studies.

Histopathological process:

The sections were stained with haemotoxilin and eosin and

the histopathological report was given by Prof. Dr. V.

Paramasivam, B.Sc., M.D. (Path), M.D. (F.M), Head of the

Department, Department of pathology, Tirunelveli Medical

College, Tirunelveli.

64
 Changes in the parameters of weight and hematological
indices in Group I animals (Control)

At O' At 3Oth At 60th At 90th

S.No Blood
day day day day
WBC 6100/cum 6100/cum 6000/cum 6000/cum
1.
Total m m m m

2. Differential Count

Neutrophil 65% 64% 65% 63%

Eosinophil - - 01% -

Basophil - - -

Lymphocyte 33% 36% 34% 37%

Monocyte - . - -

3. Haemoglobin 11 gm 11. 4gm 11. 4 gm 11. 6gm

%
4. SGOT 56IU/L 54IU/L 58IU/L 58IU/L

5. SGPT 25IU/L 25IU/L 23IU/L 27IU/L

6. Body Weight 100 gm 110 gm 110 gm 115 gm

65
 Changes in the parameters of weight and haematological
indices in Group II animals (100 mg/animal)

At O' day At 30th At 60th At 90th

S.No. Blood
(Mean) day day day
WBC 7790/cum 7800/cum 7750/cum 7780/cum
1.
Total m m m m
count
2. Differential Count

Neutrophil
58% 60% 62% 62%

Eosinophil
2% 2% - -

Basophil
- - - -

Lymphocyte
40% 42% 42% 44%

Monocyte
- - - -

3. Haemoglobin
13 gm 14.2 gm 14.8gm 15 gm
%
4. SGOT 57IU/L 56IU/L 57IU/L 56IU/L

5. SGPT 23IU/L 21IU/L 22IU/L 24IU/L

6. Body Weight
100 gm 120 gm 130 gm 135gm

66
 Changes in the parameters of weight and haematological
indices in Group III animals (200 mg/animal)

S.No At O' day At 30th At 60th At 90«»

Blood
. (Mean) day (Mean) day (Mean) day
WBC 5600/cum 5800/cum 5400/cum 5800/cum
1.
Total m m m m
2. Differential Count

Neutrophil
58% 60% 64% 68%

Eosinophil 2%
2% 2% 1%

Basophil
- - - -

Lymphocyte
40% 38% 35% 30%

Monocyte
- - - -

3. Haemoglobin %
14 gm 14.6 gm 15gm 15 gm

4. SGOT 61IU/L 59IU/L 60IU/L 58IU/L

5. SGPT 25IU/L 23IU/L 27IU/L 24IU/L

6. Body Weight 100 gm 100 gm 110 gm 120 gm

67
 HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON ANIMALS

[Wistar Albino Rats]

Chronic toxicity studies

Group I - control

Liver - normal

Kidney - normal

Heart - normal

Group II

The effect of Kanthachenduram at the dose of 100mgm

/100 gm body weight of the animal

Liver:

Section studied shows central vein distention.

Kidney:

Section studied shows shrinkage of glomerulus with

increased vascularity

Heart:

Section studied shows focal area of hemorrhage.

68
Group –III

The effect of Kanthachenduram at the dose of

200mgm/100gm body weight of the animal.

Liver:

Section studied show distention of central vein with

RBC’s and sinusoidal separation.

Kidney:

Section studied shows shrinkage of glomerulus with

hypercellularity. Tubules show vacuolar degeneration.

Heart:

Section studied shows massive area of hemorrhage.

69
 RESULT

The mean value of body weight and haematological indices

for the three groups of rats, each group containing 5 animals

with two different dosage levels were observed and the results

were tabulated in tables I, II, III, for the control, 100mg/100gm

body weight of the animal, 200mg/100mg body weight of the

animal, dose groups respectively.

Haemogobin level is increased.

Histopathological studies reveal that the Kantha

chenduram on long term administration produces pathological

changes in the liver kidney and heart. So, the drug produces

toxic effects on long term use.

70
 SUMMARY

Kantha Chenduram is prepared according to the process

found in the text Gunapadam Thathu Jeeva vaguppu. This well

known drug is used in Siddha practices, by a large number of

siddha physicians.

The aim of this dissertation is to study the acute and

chronic toxicity of the drug Kantha Chenduram, administered at

various presumed moderate dosage, in the experimental

animals.

In review of literature, the ingredients of Kantha

chenduram are discussed in depth, with focus of special features

and medicinal uses, especially for diseases like Pandu, Sobai,

Kamalai, Mohodharam.

The bio-chemical studies of the drug bring out the

presence of Calcium, Sulphate, Chloride,and ferric iron.

The preparation of the medicine Kantha chenduram, is

given in the previous chapter. The acute and chronic toxicity

studies are done as follows.

71
 The wistar albino rats of both sexes were selected from the

animal house at the Government Siddha Medical College,

Palayamkottai. The rats of weight 80-120 gm were fed with

standard food and water.

To evaluate the acute toxicity study 30 rats were selected

and divided into 6 groups, each group consisting of 5 rats and

they were administered with the drug in different graded dosages

up to 1600 mg animal by orally. The animals were observed and

the details were recorded. The drug did not produce any

mortality even up to 24 hrs, except so the drug is safe up to

1600 mg / 100 gm body weight of animal. The chronic toxicity

study was conducted for about 90 days duration. In this study

two dose levels were selected from acute toxicity study for the

drug administration. 15 rats were selected and divided into three

groups, each group consisting of 5 rats.

The first group kept as control by administered only with

water. Second group was administered with Kantha Chenduram

at the dose of 100mg / animal and the third group with 200 mg

/ animal.

72
 The blood samples were taken before and after these

studies. Periodical blood sample were taken in chronic study.

Then blood samples sent to laboratory for Haematology report.

Haemogobin level is increased.

The animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment.

Heart, liver and kidney were removed from rats and sent to

pathologist for histopathology report.

The result reveals that the marked pathological changes in

liver, kidney and heart. The result was presented in tables with

relevant photos.

It is to be noted that the physicians should take

precautions while prescribing the drug Kantha Chenduram

regarding its dosage, anupanam, pathiyam (diet restrictions) and

other principles of treatment. The dose below up to 1600 mg is

safe for long term use. This is just a preliminary study and it will

be useful for further researches.

73
 DISCUSSION

The author went through the toxicity studies on albino rats

for Kantha chenduram.

The present study with Kantha chenduram was conducted

with an objective of finding out, whether this drug has got any

side effects in long term administration to patient.

Kantha Chenduram is used to treat Pandu,

Sobai,Kamalai,Mahodharam.

Depending upon the severity on the disease condition, the

drug has to be administered. So the author thought to study

whether this drug may produce any adverse effect in long term

administration.

While studying this drug experimentally, every precaution

was taken, as it is administered clinically. With this view, the

drug was administered with proper adjuvant in all experiments

conducted.

The details of experiment have been already given. A brief

outline of the same is given below for discussion.

74
Acute toxicity study

The following 6 graded doses were given to animals in this study.

1. Control

2. 100 mg / 100g body weight of the animal

3. 200 mg / 100 g body weight of the animal

4. 400 mg / 100 g body weight of the animal

5. 800 mg / 100 g body weight of the animal

6. 1600 mg / 100 g body weight of the animal

As per the findings of the study it is found that the single

oral doses up to 1600 mg / 100 g body weight of the animal,

Kantha Chenduram did not produce any morality, even at the

end of 24 hrs. The drug produced mild sleep at the end of 24 hrs

of drug administration. (Group V and VI level)

Chronic toxicity study

The following 2 graded doses were given to the animals and

one group is kept as control was given water in this study.

Group I - Control

Group II - 100 mg /100 gm body weight of animal

Group III - 200 mg / 100 gm body weight of animal

75
 As per findings of long term administration of Kantha

chenduram in the dose at the level of 100mg/100mg body weight

of the animal and 200mg/100mg body weight of the animal

produce central vein distention with RBC’s and sinusoidal

separation in the liver, massive area of hemorrhage in the heart,

shrinkage of glomerulus with hyper cellularity, increased

vascularity, tubule show vacuolar degeneration in the kidney.

Haemogobin level is increased.

The toxicity effects of Kantha chenduram was observed in

chronic toxicity studies have been proved in long term use in

rats. So the dose has to be reduced to smaller than dose of 100

mg for the safety of patients while long time use in future.

76
 CONCLUSION

From the studies conducted we come to know that Kantha

Chenduram did not produce death in rats with in 24 hours at

the dose level of 1600 mg / 100 g body weight of the animal.

The chronic toxicity studies also revealed that the drug has

harmful effect on liver kidney and heart in long term

administration. The dose administered for chronic toxicity

studies in rats are relatively very high, compared to the dose

administered to the patients.

The aim of giving such a high dose was to find out the type

of toxicity produced by it. This toxicity could occur in patient if

the prescribed dose is not advised by the physician or not

followed by the patient.

Further studies with smaller doses may perhaps establish

the safety of the drug. In clinical practice, the drug Kantha

Chenduram should be used with caution. The patient must be

advised by the physician to follow correct dose (marunthalavu),

course of treatment (naal alavu), adjuvant (anupanam) and diet

restrictions (pathiyam).The physician should regularly monitor

the patient by doing haematological examination and also the

liver and kidney and the cardiac function tests.

77
 CONVERSION TABLE – METRIC SYSTEM
epWj;jsyit
xU cSe;njil - 65kp.fp
xU Fd;wp vil - 130kp.fp
xU kQ;rhb - 260kp.fp
xU kh\k; - 780kp.fp
xU gzntil - 488kp.fp
xU atk; - 135kp.fp
xU tuhfndil - 4.2 fp
xU foQ;R - 5.1fp
xU gyk; - 35fp
xU ifrh - 10.2fp
xU Njhyh> &gh ntil - 12fp
xU mTd;]; - 30fp> 30kp.yp
xU Nrh; - 280 fp
xU tPir - 1.4 fp.fp
xU J}f;F - 1.7 fp.fp
xU Jyhk; - 8.5 fp.fp

Kfj;jysit
XU Mohf;F - 168 kpyp
xU cof;F - 336 kpyp
xU chp - 672 kpyp
xU ehop - 1.3yp
xU FWzp - 5.3yp
xU gjf;F - 10.7 yp
xU Kf;FWzp - 16.1fp
xU J}zp - 21.5yp
xU fyk; - 64.5yp
xU buhd;> Njf;fuz;b - 4 kpyp
xU Fg;gp - 700 kpyp
xU jPh;j;jfuz;b - 1.33kpyp
xU nea;f;fuz;b - 40 kpyp

78
 xU miuf;fhy;gb - 65 kpyp
xU gb - 2 yp
xU cr;rpf;fuz;b - 16kpyp
xU ghyhil - 30 kpyp
xU vz;nza;fuz;b - 240kpyp
xU nrhk;G - 1.360 kpyp

NtW
xU mD> jpyk; - 0.003 fp
xU fhfpzp - 0.006 fp
xU tphpfp - 0.024fp
xU tpjypk; - 0.048fp
xU FQ;rk; - 0.096fp
xU jdfk; - 3.9fp
xU rhzk; - 11.7fp
xU epl;fk; - 46.8 fp
xU tlfk; - 23.4fp
xU Rgk; - 1225 fp
xU ghuk; > xU fyk; - 2000fp
xU ehopif - 24 epkplk;
xU rhkk; - 3 kzpNeu;
xU ehSf;F - 8 rhkk;

Glk;
fhilg;Glk; - vU1
fTjhhpg;Glk; - vU3
Ff;Flg; Glk; - vU10
tuhf Glk; - vU50
kzy; kiwTGlk; - vU 90
fd Glk; - vU 100
nf[Glk; - vU 1000

79
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Websites

 Http://www.magetics.wwa.edu.all/biomagneticprojects/mr

i_in_iron_overload_diseases.

 Http://wepmineral.com/data/magnetite.shtm/

 Http://www.encyclopedia.org/iron

 Http://www.nc.bi.n/m.gov.sites/

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on/honey_composition.htm.

83