An experimental study to evaluate the effect of (daily consumable) and (daily non-consumable) food items on albino rats.

BACKGROUND

As per Ayurveda, (NS) food items are recommended for daily intake while (NAS) food items should be avoided for daily intake due to their systemic wholesome and unwholesome effects after consumption, respectively.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The present study was conducted to perform safety evaluation of selected and food items.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty rats were randomly divided into five groups-each containing six Charle's Foster strain albino rats. Group 1 served as standard diet group, groups 2 and 3 served as test drug received groups namely NS50 and NS100, in which 50% and 100% mixture of food was administered, respectively. Group 4 and 5 as test drug received groups 50 (NAS50) and 100 (NAS100), in which 50% and 100% food mixtures was administered, respectively. The test diet was administered orally in the form of freshly prepared pellet twice a day for 90 days. Parameters studied were gross behavior, body and organ weight, food and water intake, fecal and urine output, hematological and biochemical parameters, electrocardiogram and histology of various organs.

RESULTS

In the NAS100 group, a significant change was observed in 20 of 47 parameters in view of pathological aspect. Among them, three parameters, i.e., platelet count, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and indirect bilirubin were above normal limits, while other parameters were within the normal limits. No significant change was observed in any of the parameters in the NS50 and NS100 group after 90 days of administration as compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Considering findings of this study, it is concluded that selected NS food items are safe while consumption of only selected food items (when administered in 100% dose) for 90 days have the potential of inflammatory changes in the liver, spleen; fat deposition in kidney and impairment of cardiac and renal functions.