Abstract

 ABSTRACT Herbal formulations are getting popularity throughout the world and commercialized extensively for various medicinal properties. WHO has emphasized the need for quality assurance of herbal products, including testing of heavy metals and pesticides residues. “Neerzhivu choornam” is a popular Siddha anti-diabetic herbal formulation, which consists of seven different drugs. In view of WHO guidelines, single herbal drugs used in “ Neerzhivu choornam” were collected from different places of markets in India for testing heavy metals, microbial load and persistent pesticides residue. Pesticide residues, heavy metals and microbial contamination were produce toxic effects like irritation of eye, blurring of eye, colic, breathlessness etc. The systemic effect includes hypotension, vascular collapse, respiratory paralysis, atoxia and convulsion. Hence the presence of these contaminants in medicinal plants must be avoided. The present study highlights the methods and procedure for these toxic contaminants and also an attempt has been made to evaluate the Neerzhivu choornam- a Siddha polyherbal anti-diabetic formulation in respect with toxicological contaminants to ensure the safety and efficacy. Keywords: Neerzhivu choornam, Toxicological contaminants, Pesticide residues, Heavy metal contamination, Microbial load.

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