Study on Teratogenic Effects of Bhavana Panjankula Thailam, Castor oil, Ricin Using Chick Embryo as a Model System

Teratogenicity is the ability to cause developmental abnormaltiies in foetus. Substances with teratogenicity effects can damage the DNA of a developing foetus. They may cause abnormal development of a limb malformation of an organ and the effects for the developing foetus can vary depending on the teratogen. Chicken eggs are used as a model system to test teratogenic effect of drug. The present study carried out, Bhavana panjankula thailam is one of the Siddha drug indicated for karuppachudu (a type of pitha disorder affecting uterus), urinary tract infections, dry skin and constipation. In this study five concentrations of drug Bhavana panjankula thailam were injected into the chicken embryos. The castor oil, Ricin also injected to chick embryos at same concentrations. Lithium is used as a positive control in the same concentrations which affects limb deformities of the organ. 1:1 ratio of lithium and drug were injected into the embryo for scrutinize the effect of drug. At the 12^th day of incubation the eggs were dissected out and detect the malformation in the embryo. The results suggested that the lowest concentrations of drug treated embryo have no malformation and highest concentrations of drug treated embryo have malformed like heart and other organs are distorted. The DNA was isolated from embryos of chick and run in agarose gel electrophoresis to confirm the DNA damage.