Comparative Toxicological Evaluation of Selected Ayurvedic Formulations: Heavy-Metal Content, Oxidative Stress and Organ-Specific Toxicity: A Review

Abstract

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of medicine widely used for health promotion and disease management. Ayurvedic medicines include herbal preparations as well as herbo-mineral and mineral formulations. Although these medicines have a long history of use, the presence of toxic metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) in some products has raised important safety concerns. Metals may be intentionally incorporated into certain Rasa Shastra preparations or may enter medicines unintentionally through contaminated raw materials, soil, water, processing, packaging, or inadequate quality control. Published analytical studies have demonstrated considerable variation in metal concentrations among Ayurvedic products. [1–4]