Abstract

COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF POLYHERBAL UNANI OINTMENT

Sehrish Khan*, Shamshad Alam, Aziz ur Rahman and Mohd. Tarique

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Abstract

WHO mandates a safety evaluation on herbal medications before any research is done to prevent toxicity due to the material found in the soil and the environment. The recent study was aimed to evaluate safety parameters of polyherbal Unani ointment aimed to be used in treatment of the patients of hemorrhoids. It comprises determination of heavy metals, aflatoxin, pesticidal residue and microbial load. The study revealed the presence of microbial load and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic within the permissible limit as per WHO guidelines, while aflatoxins and pesticides residues were found to be absent in the sample. From this study, it was concluded that the polyherbal ointment was safe and free from toxic contaminants and microbes. Drug was found to be free from toxic matter which further can be used safely and effectively in preclinical and clinical trials and may be used as a therapeutic agent.

Keywords: Safety study, herbal medicine, Unani, WHO guidelines, ointment.