Holarrhena antidysenterica (L.) Wall. ex A. DC. is a medicinal plant abundantly found in India. Its uses are mentioned in the classical Ayurvedic literature and by many folklore claims. The plant is also of extreme economic importance. Its seeds are mainly used as an antidiabetic remedy. All pharmacological and toxicological aspects of this plant are discussed in this review.

Introduction:Jatyadi ghrita is a classical Ayurvedic formulation indicated in the treatment of various types of ulcers.Aim:The study was designed to explore the wound healing properties of Jatyadi Ghrita in diabetes - induced rats.Materials and Methods:In the present study, diabetes mellitus was induced to 6 to 8-week-old male Wistar rats by injecting streptozotocin cut 65 mg/kg body weight intravenously by 15 min prior to the administration of Nicotinamide at 230 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Animals having diabetes were used for grouping namely, diabetic control (DC), Ghrita control (GC), positive control (PC), i.e., mupirocin HCl, Jatyadi Ghrita treatment and one group of non-DC. Full-thickness excision wound was created and diameter was recorded. Daily clinical observations were recorded. A wound scoring method was developed. Wound diameter and score were recorded on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14 and 15. Photographs were taken at the same time interval points. Body weight and feed consumption were recorded weekly. Animals were sacrificed at regular intervals to collect the wound area tissue for histopathology analysis. Obtained data was analyzed statistically.Results and Observation:It was observed that there was no significant difference in diameter and percent change in wound healing as compared to any control. However, clinical score and histopathological changes in Jatyadi Ghrita group were improved from the second day of the study as compared to control.Conclusion:This indicates that the drug has similar wound healing activity as compared to the modern drug mupirocin HCl.

Trivanga Bhasma, a metallic preparation containing Bhasmas of Naga (lead), Vanga (tin) and Yashada (zinc), was studied for repeated dose toxicity in Swiss albino mice to estimate No Observed Effect Level (NOEL) or No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL). A total of 80 Swiss albino mice of either sex with an average body weight of 28-30 g were equally divided into four groups (Group I, II, III, and IV). Group I served as control and was given vehicle (honey: water in 2:3 ratio) Group II, III, and IV received Trivanga Bhasma @ 7.8, 39.5,and 78 mg/kg body weight for 90 consecutive days. The effect of drug was assessed on body weight, feed and water consumption changes, hematological, and histopathological parameters. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed and examined for gross pathological changes. Histopathological evaluation was performed for control and high dose group. Trivanga Bhasma was found to be safe. No significant clinical signs were noted in all groups studied. No major alterations were observed during histopathological evaluation. Hence, dose rate of 78 mg/kg body weight was established as NOAEL. It is suggested to carry out a toxicity study at possible higher doses and in a different species so as to establish target organ of toxicity.

A unilateral non-metastatic embryonal carcinoma and teratoma of the testis was observed in a 12-week-old Swiss Albino mouse at the end of a 28-day repeated dose toxicity study. The teratocarcinoma almost completely replaced the parenchyma of the left testis. The tumor was composed of sheets and rosettes of primitive embryonal cells, anaplastic cells, skeletal muscle tissue, sebaceous gland tissue, keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, and ciliated cuboidal epithelium. The histomorphological characteristics of the tumor were reviewed and presented in this report. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous teratocarcinoma of testis in the Swiss Albino strain of mice.

A 12-week-old Swiss Albino mouse was presented with unilateral (left) testicular enlargement of approximately 1.5 cm in diameter and the right testicle mildly reduced in size and weight. Histopathology evaluation revealed three distinct neoplasms in the left testicle: choriocarcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, and embryonal carcinoma. Teratoma was diagnosed in the right testicle. The histomorphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor are presented here. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of spontaneous nonmetastasizing choriocarcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, and teratoma in testes of a Swiss albino mouse.

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Background Aarogyavardhini Vati is a classical Ayurvedic herbomineral formulation. It contains mercury and copper compounds as principal minerals along with other minerals and herbal ingredients. Aarogyavardhini Vati is indicated in chronic liver ailments. However, safety concerns are often raised regarding the use of mercury containing ayurvedic drugs in disease conditions due to the risk of mercury and copper toxicity. Objective This study was performed to address the safety concerns regarding mercury and copper toxicity from Ayurvedic herbomineral formulations by investigating accumulation of these minerals in tissues and subsequent toxicity in chronic hepatotoxicity rat model. Materials and methods Quantification of mercury and copper in Aarogyavardhini Vati was done. Chronic hepatotoxicity was induced in the Wistar rats by repeated administration of CCl 4 for 8 weeks. Animals were treated with Aarogyavardhini Vati for various durations. Post treatment of 8 weeks, serum biochemical marker estimations was done. Estimation of mercury and copper from the liver, kidney and brain tissues was done after animal sacrifice. Histopathology evaluation of visceral organs was also performed. Results Treatment with Aarogyavardhini Vati exhibited significant accumulation of mercury in the kidney but not in the brain and liver. Similarly, no significant accumulation of copper was observed in liver, kidney, and brain due to the treatment of Aarogyavardhini Vati . Serum biochemical and histopathological changes were not affected by the treatment with Aarogyavardhini Vati . Conclusion Aarogyavardhini Vati did not show any biologically significant potential to cause toxicity due to its mercury and copper content when administered for prolonged duration to rats with chronic hepatotoxicity.