Abstract

ROLE OF AYURVEDA HERBS IN DRUG INDUCED TOXICITY

Dr. Malvika Saini,* Dr. Sarvade Dattatraya, Dr. Sumit Nathani, Dr. Mita Kotecha

Abstract

Drug toxicity is a common health problem now a day‟s in population. 6% of hospital admissions and 2.5% of emergency department visits for injuries or poisonings may be due to adverse drug reactions or drug toxicity. An estimated 183,000 (range: 95,000-226,000) drug-related deaths were reported in 2012. That figure corresponds to a mortality rate of 40 deaths per million among the population aged 15-64. Toxic effects produced as a result of continuously using some drugs, is a major cause of mortality & morbidity among population. NSAIDs, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, paracetamol etc. are some of the drugs which are widely used in population for getting quick results. Pantaprazole, ranitidine etc. are generally prescribed to every patient whether they really need it or not. Similarly there are many drugs which are prescribed to patients regularly e.g. NSAIDs for musculoskeletal problems, aspirin as antiinflammatory & in cardiovascular disease, ciprofloxacin as antibiotic. But they produce severe organ toxicity. PPI & H2 blockers are nephrotoxic, paracetamol causes hepatotoxicity, ciprofloxacin causes neurotoxicity. But our Ayurveda is so vast that it provides treatment not only to fight with the disease but also it detoxifies the body from toxins produced by modern drugs. Herbs like Bhumi amalaki, Brahmi, Gokshur, Punarnava etc. provides protection & detoxify the organs like liver, kidney & brain. The present paper deals with organ toxicity caused by modern drugs & role of Ayurveda to curb this problem.

Keywords: drug toxicity, organ toxicity, Ayurveda herbs & formulations.