Effect of Naga Parpam, a metallic drug of Siddha medicine, on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and tissues of liver in Wistar rats

Abstract

Naga Parpam (NP), a zinc containing drug is prescribed in Siddha medicine to treat piles, fistula, dysentery, diarrhoea and tuberculosis. In this investigation, NP’s effect on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and tissues of liver in Wistar rats has been studied. The drug was administered orally in doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight for 28 days to the experimental animals. On day 29, they were sacrificed and the liver was removed. From the liver homogenate, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were analyzed. Dose dependent decrease in LPO and increase in the above enzymes revealed its potential antioxidant activity. There were no significant changes in the liver tissue architecture in histology that further confirmed the pro-active role of NP in treating diseases.