Changes in lipid profile of rat plasma after chronic administration of Mallasindura (MSL) - an Ayurvedic metallic preparation

Mallasindura (MSL) which is a classical Ayurvedic preparation of arsenical products was studied to observe its toxicological effects. This Ayurvedic drug is used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. The changes in the lipid profile parameters of rat plasma were examined after chronic administration of this drug. The animal used were albino rats (Rattus novergicus: Sprague-Dawley strains) and the drug was administered per oral route at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, once daily, up to 90 days for all the experiments. Forty rats, equally of both sexes, were randomly grouped into four where one male and one female group were used as control and other groups were used as test. In case of male rats, statistically a very highly significant decrease (p=0.001) in the triglyceride content in the plasma was noted. There was also a decrease in the total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL content (with p values of 0.682, 0.374, 0.796 and 0.328 respectively) of the plasma was observed. None of these values were statistically significant. In case of female rats, a similar declined trend was observed for triglycerides which was statistically very highly significant (p=0.001). And for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and VLDL content in female rats, there was a similar trend like male rats with p values of (0.701, 0.395, 0.902 and 0.587 respectively) which were not statistically significant.