J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Aug 3. pii: S0378-8741(16)30512-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.07.079. [Epub ahead of print]
- 1Department
of Veterinary Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery
Sciences, Kolkata, India.
- 2J. B. Roy State Ayurvedic
Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal University of Health Sciences,
Kolkata 700004, West Bengal, India. Electronic address:
prasantaksarkar@yahoo.com.
- 3Institute of Post
Graduate Ayurvedic Education and Research, West Bengal University of
Health Sciences, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India.
- 4Department
of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences,
Kolkata, India.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Chronic
arsenic poisoning due to contaminated subsoil water is a threat to
society in West Bengal, India and in Bangladesh. The human being may
also be affected by the exposed cattle from the affected area by
consuming milk, egg, meat and others. In Ayurveda, several herbs like Haridra (turmeric), Shunthi (dried ginger root) and others are used for the management of arsenic poisoning.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
The
study was conducted to find out the ameliorative effect of turmeric and
ginger powder against experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in calves.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Twenty four calves
were divided into four groups (group I, II, III and IV) having six
animals in each group. Animals of group I, II and III were orally
administered with sodium arsenite at 1mg/kg body weight for 90 days and
in addition group II and group III animals were treated orally with
turmeric and ginger powder respectively at 10mg/kg body weight from 46th
day onwards. Group IV animals were given food and water without drug
and served as control. Arsenic content was estimated in faeces, hair,
urine and plasma in every 15 days. Bio-chemical, haematological and
anti-oxidant parameters were also assessed.
RESULTS:
Turmeric
and ginger powder significantly (P<0.05) reduced the plasma and hair
arsenic levels through increased excretion via faeces and urine.
Haemoglobin level, TEC and TLC were decreased in groups I, II and III,
however these were improved significantly (P<0.05) from 75th day
onwards in turmeric and ginger treated groups. Increased activity of AST
and ALT were significantly decreased (P<0.05) from 75th day onwards
in group II and III. Blood urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine were also
significantly decreased (P<0.05) in group II and III than group I
from 60th day onwards. The SOD and catalase activity were significantly
(P<0.05) reduced in groups I, II and III, but these were restored at
the end of the experiment in turmeric and ginger treated groups.
CONCLUSION:
The
test drugs are found significantly effective not only to eliminate
arsenic from the body but also give protection from possible damage
caused by arsenic exposure, it may be concluded from the present study
that turmeric and ginger can be helpful in the therapy of chronic
arsenic toxicity in calves.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Antioxidant; Calves; Chronic arsenic toxicity; Ginger; Sodium arsenite; Turmeric
