Comparative toxicity study of various dosage forms of Sammul far (Arsenic trioxide) in mice

Sammul far (Arsenic trioxide) is a poison but its use in Unani medicine as a therapeutic agent is common, of course, after subjecting it to various processes of detoxification. Two forms of processed Arsenic, i.e. simply processed by grinding it along with certain other drugs (Mudabbar/detoxified form), and by burning it at a very high temperature and getting its oxide (Kushta/calcined form) are widely used by Unani physicians. However, these two forms have not been studied scientifically for their toxic potential or pharmacological and therapeutic profile. Therefore, a study was designed to evaluate acute and sub acute toxicity of Sammul far processed by different methods in albino mice with an aim to prepare their toxicity/safety profile and find the safest dosage form through their inter comparison. The data obtained from the study were analyzed by using Kruskal Wallis with Dunn's multiple pair comparison test, and ANOVA non- repeated measure. A thermogram was also prepared by recording the heat pattern during the course of preparation of Kushta by conventional method (as described in Unani literature) and was standardized for preparation of Kushta by a furnace. The study revealed Mudabbar form to be more toxic than the calcined form. Further, Kushta prepared by furnace was safer than that prepared by classical method.