Evaluation of Toxicological Profile of a Polyherbal Formulation

In current study toxicological profile of a commonly used herbal formulation was evaluated that is used extensively for gynecological disorders like menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, leucorrhea, irregular menstrual cycle, pre-menstrual syndrome and post-menopausal bleeding. It was also claimed to strengthen endometrium and ovaries. Since this herbal formulation was been used by a large number of population hence there was a need to assess acute and sub-chronic toxicity. Acute oral toxicity (LD50) was observed in albino mice using standard protocols whereas sub-chronic, hematological and histopathological studies were assessed on 24 albino rabbits after giving herbal formulation for 60 days in two doses (20 and 60 mg/kg) against control groups. The outcomes of present study showed that the drug is safe up to 5000 mg/kg following acute oral toxicity test and no mortality was observed during sub chronic toxicity studies. Results of sub-chronic toxicity did not show any significant changes in biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters. However, some indicators such as urea, creatinine, hemoglobin, and RBC count were altered, but these changes do not correlate with the histopathological results and may be associated to intra individual variations. Despite the safety of the drug in few animals, clinical trials and more investigations on a large number of animals are essentially needed to establish safety and efficacy of the herbal formulation.


Introduction
Herbal drugs often referred as traditional medicines are used to describe ancient and culture-bound health prac-tices existed before the development of research based modern or allopathic medicines [1] [2].Herbal drugs form a major component of alternative system of healthcare like ayurvedic, homeopathic, naturopathic and Native American Indian medicine.They have made great contributions in the development of modern drugs as around thirty percent of all modern medicines have been derived from higher plants [3] [4].Among the first active principles to be isolated from plants were morphine, papaverine, atropine and colchicine, which are still used widely for the treatment of various disorders [5] [6].Herbal medicines are an essential part of traditional health care system in many cultures [7].
Herbs are products of natural origin most often used as self-treatment of diseased states or less than optimal health conditions.Many are without therapeutic effects and some are toxic [8].Herbal medicines are usually thought to be safe due to its natural origin however several reviews summarize their significant side effects and interactions [9]- [13].
Mostly integrated research focusing the developments of commercially viable and useful herbal medicines, has not been carried out i.e. herbal products is not tested with the scientific rigor required for modern conventional drugs [14].Various drug interactions are associated with the intake of some herbal medicines that may result in many adverse reactions [15].Experts suggest that natural does not mean completely safe and high-risk groups like elderly, pediatrics, pregnant and lactating woman, patients with co-morbidities and organ failures should use herbal products with extreme caution; hence toxicological studies are essentially required before their use by general public [8] [16] [17].
The herbal formulation under study consists of Saraca indica, Symplocos racemosa, Valeriana wallichii, Matricaria chamomilla, Vitex agnuscastus and Areca catechu.It is indicated for gynecological disorders like menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, leucorrhea, irregular menstrual cycle, pre-menstrual syndrome and post-menopausal bleeding.It is also claimed to be beneficial for strengthening endometrium and ovaries.
Saraca indica has been used for its astringent and uterine sedative actions.It acts directly on the muscle fibers of uterus and stimulates the endometrium and ovarian tissue.It has oxytocic activity and historically used for the treatment of excessive endometrial bleeding and dysmenorrhea.It is also used for depression in women and for bleeding in Piles [18] [19].
Symplocos racemosa is useful in bowel complaints, Dropsy, liver complaints, fevers, ulcers and scorpionsting.It also resolves inflammation and relaxes uterine tissues, and thus is used for menorrhagia.It is also recommended for skin and eye infections and in cases of hemorrhage [20] [21].
Matricaria chamomilla is a pleasant aromatic plant with a bitter taste.It possesses antispasmodic, expectorant, carminative, anthelmintic, sedative and diuretic properties.It is principally used as a nerve tonic, in false labor pains, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia and cramps in the leg [24].
Vitex agnuscastus is a deciduous tree indigenous to the Mediterranean region as far as western Asia.In folk medicine, it has been used to treat infertility, amenorrhea and hormonal imbalance in both sexes, and also to prevent pre-menstrual mastodynia [25] [26].
Since no legal guidelines exist for regulating the manufacturing, packaging, marketing and use of herbal drugs in Pakistan, these drugs are freely available in the market to be used through self-guidance or untrained advise.Hence pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of such drugs is very important, where large populations are exposed to such preparations without prescription from a licensed or trained medical practitioner.

Selection of Animals
Two different animal species mice and rabbits were selected for present investigation acute toxicity studies were done on mice and sub-chronic studies were performed on rabbits.

Acute Toxicity Testing (LD50)
Acute oral toxicity (LD 50 ) was performed by the method of Lorke [29].Albino mice of either sex; weighing 20 -25 gm, were maintained under persistent environmental conditions 25˚C ± 2˚C and were provided standard diet and water ad libitum.Three groups of mice each comprising of 3 animals was administered with 10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg of herbal formulation by mouth and examined for mortality within 24 hours.Following the results of mortality in each group, another set of 3 groups of mice were administered higher doses of the test drug, to achieve the least and most toxic value and LD 50 was calculated by geometric mean of the values.

Sub-Chronic Toxicity
This test was performed on 24 healthy white rabbits of either sex from 1200 to 1800 grams.All animals were equally separated into three groups, one group regarded as control and other two received 20 and 60 mg/kg doses of herbal formulation for consecutive 60 days through oral intubation tube.Doses were prepared in DMSO however control group received DMSO orally equal to the volume of individual doses according to their body weight.Before administration of drug, physical health of these animals was observed during the conditioning period under the laboratory environment for a week explicitly seeing loss of hair, diarrhea, edema, ulceration and lack of activity.

Sample Collection
Blood sample of around 6 ml were collected from these animals by cardiac puncture at the completion of dosing on 61 st day to determine various biochemical and hematological parameters.

Physical Examination
Gross toxicities were perceived every one-week after giving herbal formulation for 60 days explicitly noticing skin ulceration, average weight variation, loss of hair, loss of appetite, loss of activity, hematuria, vomiting, diarrhea, edema, lacrimation, salivation, muscle tone, tremor and aggressive behavior.Autopsy was performed after random selection, at the completion of dosage and sample collection for biochemical tests.

Biochemical Evaluation
Blood samples were collected from fasted animals prior to necropsy.Approximately 7 ml of blood samples were collected by cardio puncture.Serum were immediately separated by centrifugation for 10 min at 4000 rpm and was examined for the following parameters within 3 hours of sample collection on Humalyzer 3000 (GmBH Germany) at 37˚C utilizing reagents supplied by Human Gmbh Germany.

Hematological Evaluation
Blood samples were collected under 10% EDTA at 7.2 pH and hematological parameters i.e.RBC, WBC, PLT, Hematocrit, & hemoglobin were explored using Humacount hematology analyzer GmbH 17400, a fully automated cell counter with a built-in veterinary software module.

Microscopic Examination
Representative blocks from different areas of heart, liver and kidney were cut from each sample after separating all fat from respective organs.The blocks were processed through Gilford 101 s automatic tissue processor.Tissue slices of 3 -4 micron were taken from the wax blocks by rotary microtome.The tissue slices were mounted on slides and dehydrated softly by pressing with filter paper.The mounted slides were placed primarily for drying on a hot plate (45˚C) for 90 minutes and then left in an incubator at 37˚C overnight to dry before microscopic examination.

Statistical Analysis
All the values for biochemical tests were stated as the mean and standard error to the mean (S.E.M.) and were analyzed by using one way unstacked ANOVA and p values were observed [30].Results were considered significant if p value was less than 0.05 and highly significant if p value was less than 0.005.

Physical Examination
Apparent physical health of the animals was observed in various groups on different doses of herbal formulation during the entire period of experiment.
Skin ulceration, average weight variation, loss of hair, loss of appetite, loss of activity, hematuria, vomiting, diarrhea, edema, lacrimation, salivation, respiratory rate, muscle tone, exophthalmia, tremor, and aggressive behavior.Animals of no group exhibited gross toxicities at any time during the entire period of experiment and none of the animals expired.

Biochemical Evaluation
Table 1 reveals the comparison of biochemical markers e.g.CK-NAC, LDH, AST, Total protein, urea, creatinine, uric acid, ALP, ALT, γ-GT, Total and Direct Bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, phosphorus and glucose following 20 and 60 mg/kg dose administration of herbal formulation for 60 days.
Generally results did not reveal any significant toxicity.Herbal formulation had elevated serum urea highly significantly at 20 mg/kg however at 60 mg/kg the increase was significant, as compared to control.Serum creatinine was also reduced significantly at 60 mg/kg as compared to control.Rest of the biochemical parameter appears to be in normal ranges with respect to control group animals.

Hematological Evaluation
Table 2 reveals the comparison of Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, RBC, WBC, and Platelet following 20 and 60 mg/kg dose of herbal formulation for 60 days.There was highly significant decrease in hemoglobin hematocrit and significant decrease in RBC count at 60 mg/kg dose of herbal formulation, in comparison to control group, while there was no significant change in WBCs and platelet count, in comparison to control group animals.

Microscopic Examination
Gross examination of various vital organs such as heart, liver and kidney showed no significant macroscopic changes in any group.However, on microscopic examination, one animal at 60 mg/kg revealed congestion and mild focal interstitial inflammation in renal tissue (Figure 1).Similarly one animal at 60 mg/kg also showed congestion with mild portal inflammation in hepatic tissue (Figure 2) but rest of the animals did not revealed any cellular changes (Figure 3 & Figure 4).

Discussion
Herbal medicine is the oldest form of healthcare and had been used by all cultures throughout history.The WHO has assessed that 80% of the world's population stays to use traditional therapies, a main part of which are obtained from plants, as their primary health care tools [4] [31].
Table 2. Effects of herbal formulation after 60 days on hematological parameters.Herbal medicines are usually regarded as safe, but case reports indicate that serious side effects and pertinent interactions with other drugs can arise altering physiology and these changes can be reflected in abnormal test results [32] [33].Hence plants should be evaluated by modern scientific methods in order to demonstrate their usefulness and to avoid the use of useless and toxic herbs.Thus, herbal formulation was evaluated for its safety against gross toxicities and toxic effects on biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters in rabbits.
The overall physiology of rabbits is comparable to humans, thus rabbits have been used as a model for human diseases.Rabbits are large enough to provide suitable amounts of tissue for experimental work without pooling of samples but are small enough to be economical for most studies.
Moreover rabbits were selected since biochemical and histopathological changes made are comparatively similar as observed in humans [34].Secondly, sufficient amount of blood samples can be obtained at different stages of experiment and thirdly, rabbits are not only easily available but are also easy to handle.
The result of acute toxicity (LD 50 ) after oral administration reveals that herbal formulation has LD 50 greater than 5000 mg/kg.Moreover, there was no death reported at any dose following administration of herbal formulation for 60 days.These findings suggest that this preparation possesses wide therapeutic range and is relatively safe.
In present study, comparison of gross toxicities e.g.skin ulceration, weight variation, loss of hair, loss of activity, hematuria, loss of interest in food, vomiting, diarrhea, edema, salivation, and aggressive behavior etc., were seen after the administration of herbal formulation during the entire period of experiment.The results showed no significant toxicities, however, average weight loss was observed during the course of experimentation in animals of all three groups.
Study of the renal profile such as total protein, urea, creatinine, and uric acid levels give useful information about the drug-induced renal toxicities.Animals which received herbal formulation in 20 and 60 mg/kg doses did not show any significant changes in total protein and uric acid levels.However, animals at 20 mg/kg dose showed highly significant increase in urea, while, animals at 60 mg/kg showed less significant increase in urea and significant decrease in creatinine.The decrease in urea was not consistent with the dose and might be due to increased protein metabolism also indicated by weight loss in all animal groups.
Liver damage tempted by drugs may consist of hepatocellular necrosis, cholestasis, or a mixture of biochemical and histopathological patterns [35].The estimation of AST and ALP is suitable in the early diagnosis of viral or toxic hepatitis and thus patients exposed to hepatotoxic drugs [36].Hence animals were tested for ALP, AST, γ-GT and Bilirubin levels to check for hepatic toxicity.There were no significant changes ALP, AST, γ-GT and Bilirubin (Total and Direct) in animals of either group received herbal formulation.
Animals received 20 and 60 mg/kg doses of herbal formulation did not show any significant changes in Cardiac enzymes such as LDH, CK and GOT.Moreover, microscopic examination of cardiac tissue also did not re-veal any Cardiac damage.
Animals received 20 and 60 mg/kg doses of herbal formulation showed no significant changes in lipid profile (triglycerides and cholesterol) and other biochemical parameters (glucose, calcium and phosphorus).
Study of the hematological parameters like hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, RBC, WBC, and platelet count gives valuable information about the drug-induced hematological toxicities.Animals received 60 mg/kg doses of herbal formulation showed highly significant decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit, and significant decrease in RBC count.
The herbal formulation did not revealed any macroscopic changes at 20 mg as well as 60 mg/kg doses, similarly microscopic examination in animals received 20 and 60 mg/kg herbal formulation did not reveal any remarkable changes in heart.However, there was mild focal interstitial inflammation in kidney at 60 mg/kg, which might be due to intra individual variation, since biochemical changes do not confirm any damage in these tissues.Similarly there was mild portal inflammation in hepatic tissue of animals at 20 mg/kg which might be due to any circulating antigen, since biochemical alterations did not correlate microscopic changes and are thus insignificant.

Conclusion
Investigation on acute, sub-chronic, biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters did not reveal any significant toxicity; therefore it may indeed be concluded as safe formulation; however despite safety of the drug in animals, trial in humans is the only valid way of establishing safety and efficacy of any drug prior to use in humans.

8 .
Average values ± S.E.M. * p < 0.05 significant as compared to control.** p < 0.005 highly significant as compared to control.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Renal tissue showing congestion and mild focal interstitial inflammation.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Hepatic tissue showing congestion and mild portal inflammation.

Table 1 .
Effect of herbal formulation after 60 days on biochemical markers.
n = 8.Average values ± S.E.M. * p < 0.05 significant as compared to control.** p < 0.005 highly significant as compared to control.