Paechiyammal S et al. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 2019, 10 (9) 211 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY www.irjponline.com ISSN 2230 – 8407 Research Article ACUTE TOXICITY STUDY OF SIDDHA FORMULATION – GANDHAGA PARPAM Paechiyammal S 1 *, Kumar S 2 , Kalpana A 3 , Maanickhachelvi K S 4 1 Yoga Teacher, National Institute of Siddha, Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Medical Officer, SKM Clinic, Arumbakkam branch, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 3 Medical Officer, RJR Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 4 Research Officer, Siddha Regional Research Institute (CCRS), Poojappura, Trivandrum, India *Corresponding Author Email: drpaechinis@gmail.com Article Received on: 20/06/19 Approved for publication: 27/07/19 DOI: 10.7897/2230-8407.1009284 ABSTRACT The Siddha system of medicine is one of the oldest systems belongs to southern part of India. This system uses a fascinating combination of herbs, minerals, animal products and special therapy techniques like Varmam, Thokkanam therapy to promote health and longevity. Gandhaga parpam is one of the medicines prepared from Sulphur and other ingredients. To study the acute toxicity studies as per WHO guidelines. The Gandhaga parpam was prepared from raw drugs with authentication. The acute toxicity studies carried out in Albino mice (Male and Female) with 10 times of therapeutic dose i.e. 260 mg/day, water solute, for 2 weeks. Gandhaga parpam at the dose 4.68 mg/animal did not exhibit any mortality in mice. No behavior changes noted for first 4 hours, 24 hours and throughout the study period of 14 days. In addition, no weight reduction happened. Thus, the Siddha formulation of Gandhaga parpam, proves this drug was safe and recommended for human usage. The above result shows that even any metal or mineral medicine should be prepared as per procedure mentioned in classical texts, it does not exhibit any toxicity studies. This will help to reach the Siddha system globally. Keywords: Toxicity, Siddha formulation, Weight, Behavioral changes. INTRODUCTION The word Siddha comes from the word “Siddhi” which means attaining perfection or heaven. Siddha system uses a fascinating combination of herbs, minerals, animal products and special therapy techniques like Varmam, Thokkanam therapy to promote good health and longevity. In India, the Government has recognised the following traditional systems like Siddha system, Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy and Naturopathy collected in one umbrella and namely AYUSH systems. The medicines using in the traditional systems validated according to modern scientific parameters for the usage in human beings. The Siddha literature explained the purification process for each raw drug. If we strictly follow the purification process for herbal, metal or mineral drugs, it will improve the bioavailability; enhance the curing principles and less to side effects. Author selected the Gandhaga parpam (Internal drug) for clinical study, which mentioned in Anuboga Vaidhiya Navaneedham Part 6 1 . The drug Gandhagam (Sulphur) is a crystalline material. Therefore, to study the acute toxicity as per WHO Guidelines, 1993 for the prepared drug Gandhaga parpam before going to enter clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gandhaga parpam preparation Ingredients • Purified Nellikkaai Gandhagam (sulphur)- 1 Palam (35 gm) • Ash of the bark of Maruthampattai- 1.5 Azhakku (270 gm) (Terminalia arjuna. Roxb.ex. Dcwight and Arn.) • Lemon Juice- Required amount Method of purification Purification of Gandhagam Sulphur is taken in an iron ladle along with some cow’s butter and melted in heat. Then poured into cow’s milk and allowed to cool for solid state. This process repeated for 29 times. Sulphur is taken out and dried 2 . Purification of Arjuna bark Bark cleaned with pure cloth and the outer layer peeled off 3 . Method of preparation Purified Sulphur soaked in the lime juice for 60 Nazhigai (24 hours). Maruthampattai (Terminalia arjuna) bark burnt and made to ash form. Half the quantity of ash of Maruthampattai taken in a narrow-mouthed clay pot and the purified Sulphur placed over this ash. Remaining half of the ash was covered the Sulphur completely. The plaster made up of fine clay applied over the cotton cloth to cover the pot and lid tightly as per siddha literature and dried. It then subjected to calcination process (Pudam) by placing it in a pit, depth of oru Muzham (46.6 cm approximate). The cow dung cakes of 100 Palams (3500 gm), half-placed below, place the clay