Genotoxicity Evaluation of Vaishvanara Churna - A classical Ayurvedic Formulation

Aims: The current study aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity of the Vaishvanara Churna, a polyherbal formulation by using Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. The study was supported by the study of the content of heavy metals in the ayurvedic formulation. Background: Vaishvanara Churna is a classical ayurvedic formulation that is used for treating conditions, such as flatulence with gurgling sound (Adhmana), abdominal lump (Gulma); Duodenal ulcer (Parinamasula), Rheumatism (Amavata); heart disease (Hrdroga). Objective: The objective is to study the genotoxicity of Vaishvanara Churna on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells using alkaline Single-cell Gel Electrophoresis and correlate the possible association of genotoxicity to the number of heavy metals present in the polyherbal formulation. Methodology: The Alkaline Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis was used to see the effects on the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells using 2% Hydrogen Peroxide as a standard oxidizing agent. Observation: Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, isolated from a fresh human blood sample, were treated in vitro with varying concentrations of Vaishvanara Churna (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 mg/ml of aqueous extract) using a standard protocol. It was found that none of the assessed concentrations of the ayurvedic formulation was toxic to Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Conclusion: Single-cell Gel Electrophoresis is a simple technique to evaluate the genotoxicity of any drug to Human Beings, and it can be used as an alternative to animal genotoxicity studies.