Safety of Siddha Herbal Antenatal Drug Bavana Panchangula Thailam established through Teratogenicity Screening in Zebra Fish Model

Background: Embryonic period is the period with greatest risk for major malformation that may occur with the growing foetus. Medication or any supplements taken during the time of gestation can give risk to fetal malformation and congenital birth defect. The thalidomide tragedy which provoked the medical world to defend the motherhoods. Aim: The aim was to evaluate the Medicine Bavana Panjangula thailam (BPT) for teratogenicity screening which been indicated for Karpasoodu, meant as embryonic malformation. Hence, it is suggested for maternal groups from the first trimester to third trimester. Methods: The trial drug Bavana Panjangula Thailam, an oil based medicine, administered through oral route by micropipette to zebra fish with 10µl, 50 µl, 100 µl respectively and lastly control group, without medication. And embryos collected from the respective groups and inspected for any malformation in organogenesis or mortalities in zebra fish model. Result: Inverted Microscope equipped with phase contrast function, camera and software for image optimization were used to record the development of embryos for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Neither malformation, nor mortalities were observed in all the groups. Conclusion: This study concludes that this Siddha polyherbal formulation BPT has no potency for causing any teratogenicity in the wide range of tested dose in zebra fish model.