Quality Standardization and Acute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Vishavilwadi Gutika - A Potent Antitoxic Formulation

Vishavilwadi Gutika is a traditional Agada (anti-poisonous) formulation recommended for the treatment of Sarpa Visha (snake venom), as mentioned in the text Kriya Kaumudi by Kuttikrishna Menon, a renowned Visha Vaidya from Kerala. This polyherbal formulation consist of 16 herbal drugs were triturated in Bastha Mootra (goat’s urine) which possess properties like Vishagna (antitoxic), Shophagna (antiinflammatory) and Krimigna (anthelminthic), while also aiding metabolism. This study endeavours to standardize and analyse acute oral toxic response of Vishavilwadi Gutika. Various parameters, including uniformity of weight, hardness, disintegration time, pH, loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble residue, alcohol and water extractive esteem and HPTLC profiling, were surveyed agreeing to the measures set by the Indian Pharmacopeia and Ayurvedic pharmacopeia of India to guarantee quality control of the herbal ingredients. Acute oral toxic response was assessed in conformity with OECD 425 protocols, evaluating the formulation's safety at maximum lethal dosage. The findings indicated that the reference standard profile for Vishavilwadi Gutika is non-toxic and safe for internal use. Consequently, this study has established a standardised, affordable and effective anti-toxic herbal formulation for future researches.