Anti-ulcerogenic activity of Thamira parpam (TP) was investigated in two ulcer models (aspirin + pylorus ligation and HCl-ethanol). Aspirin—pylorus ligation (Asp 200 mg/kg-7 days + PL-4 hours) and HCl-ethanol (150 mM HCl in 70% ethanol) induction in rat resulted in elevation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and depletion of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) with high ulcer scores (p < .01). In Asp + PL model, TP treatment showed mild inhibition on ulcer scores, changes in pH, gastric volume, total and free acidity, and elevation of TBARS and depletion of antioxidants. Compared to the ulcer-untreated rats (HCl-ethanol), the herbomineral drug TP treatment (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg, per oral [p.o.]) attenuated the elevation of TBARS, decrease of antioxidants and nitrite (p < .05). Histopathological examinations were correlated with the antioxidant profile. In conclusion, the prophylactic cytoprotective nature of the herbomineral drug in experimentally induced ulcers could be mediated by its free radical quenching property.

Copper is known as Gunma Kaalan in Siddha literature, which means that the drug is effective for healing ulcers. The herbomineral drug "Thamira parpam" is prepared by calcining the purified copper foils with rock salt, lime juice, bracteated birth wort juice, and Alangium root decoction according to Siddha medicine. Our study investigated the possible role of Thamira parpam (TP) in the management of cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers. Cysteamine (400 mg kg(-1) body weight(-1), two doses at 4 h interval) orally given to rats resulted in high ulcer index, increased TBARS with concomitant depletion of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and inflammatory markers cathepsin D, and myeloperoxidase (p < 0.01). Herbomineral drug TP (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg, p.o.) challenged with cysteamine attenuated the elevation of TBARS and imbalance of antioxidants. In the increases in liver inflammatory markers, tissue histopathology changes were not severe in TP treatment. Positive control omeprazole (25 mg/kg, body weight, orally) showed considerable protection against anomaly in biochemical parameters and tissue histology. Hence, our results indicate that the attenuation of oxidative stress by the herbomineral drug in experimentally induced damage to liver and duodenum of rats could be mediated by free radical quenching property.

Sirupeellai samoola kudineer (SK), a polyherbal decoction, has been used in Siddha system of medicine for the management of Urolithiasis. Since, there exists no documentation of preclinical toxicological evaluation of SK earlier, in the present study, acute and subacute toxicity of SK was assessed in Sprague Dawley rats as per OECD guideline 423 and 407, respectively. In the acute toxicity study, SK did not produce any toxic signs at a dose level of 50 ml/kg b.wt/p.o. Three doses of SK (4.5, 9.0, 18.0 ml/kg b.wt) were administered and observed for various behavioral, physiological, biochemical, and haematological changes for 28 days in the subacute toxicity study. Low and mid dose of SK (4.5 and 9.0 ml/kg b.wt) did not exhibit any significant physiological and haematological alterations. Whereas, high dose (18.0 ml/kg bw) treatment exhibited significant changes in creatinine, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) levels in serum. Further, histopathological examinations of brain, heart, liver, kidney and sex organs revealed normal architecture signifying no morphological changes upto a dose of 9.0 ml/kg. However, 18.0 ml/kg of SK administration showed few histopathological changes as compared to the control. Based on these results, it can be concluded that Sirupeellai samoola kudineer is safe and non-toxic upto 9.0 ml/kg for 28 days in experimental rats.