| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
|
| Year : 1999 | Volume
: 31
| Issue : 2 | Page : 150-152 |
Proconvulsant effects of calcined arsenic preparations used in Unani medicine
Siddiqui Rumana, Vohora Divya, SB Vohora
Correspondence Address:
Siddiqui Rumana
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
Objective: To study calcined arsenic preparations Kushta Sammul Far Qawi (KS-Q) and Aatishaki (KS-A) varieties for effects on animal models of epilepsy and acute toxicity.
Methods: The investigations were carried out on pentylene tetrazole and maximal electroshock induced seizures in mice. Approximate LD50 values were also determined.
Results: KS-A (5 mg/kg p.o.) caused significant reduction in onset time for various phases of convulsions and mortality vs vehicle treated mice. KS-Q showed a similar proconvulsive tendency but the effects were not significant. The oral LD50 values for KS-A and KS-Q were 750 and 490 mg/kg respectively.
Conclusion: The test drugs showed no acute toxicity and apparantly had a wide therapeutic index but KS-A exhibited proconvulsant activity necessitating caution in its use in epilepsy prone subjects.
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