EVALUATION AND ACUTE TOXICITY STUDIES OF HERBALLY PREPARED SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND RAJAT BHASMA USING MODERN ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS

Background: Rajat Bhasma (RB) is a herbomineral formulation used in Ayurvedic practice. The traditional system of medicine expresses that bhasma contains various metals and minerals, used in different disease conditions but due to the presence of heavy metals, and is questioned for their safety aspect by regulatory authorities. Phytotherapeutics require a scientific approach to deliver the components in a sustained manner to increase the patient compliance and avoid repeated administration. Aim: To study comparative evaluation of herbally prepared silver nanoparticles and Rajat Bhasma using modern analytical Instruments and acute toxicity study. Materials and Methods: The ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale) and fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum) extract were selected due to its antidiabetic activity and silver in the form of RB is recommended for antidiabetic activity in Ayurveda. The crude extract was prepared by maceration method and synthesis of silver nanoparticles was done by adding dropwise extract of herbal in silver nitrate solution. Further, acute oral toxicity was performed on Wistar albino rat. Results and Discussion: Herbal silver nanoparticles (HSNs) were comparatively evaluated with RB using modern analytical technics. Acute toxicity study revealed the safety of HSN over the RB. Conclusion: Integrating nanoscience as a novel drug delivery system (NDDS) in traditional medicine enriches the potential of herbal drugs for treating chronic diseases. In the present study, HSNs were prepared using ginger rhizomes (Z. officinale) and fenugreek seeds (T. foenum-graecum) extracts and were compared with marketed RB by employing acute toxicity studies and characterization was done using ultraviolet spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, particle size analyzer, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The results of the study showed that HSN can be an alternative for herbomineral formulations.