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Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy

Pharmacokinetic Study of Iron Absorption from Unani Compound Formulation in Animals

  1. Junaid Nazir Dandroo
  2. Yousuf Saleem
  3. Mohammad Rafi Thoker
  4. Mushtaq Ahmad Payer
  5. Shiekh Mohmad
  6. Arshad Hussain Shah

Abstract

Background: Iron is an indispensable element for survival and normal functioning of the human cells. It is required for a large number of biochemical reactions in the cells. It is a vital component of haemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes, catalases and many other enzyme systems like Krebs cycle. It is essential for oxygen transport and oxidation reactions in cells. Iron deficiency is the most prevalent deficiency disorders of human beings in the world. The preferred treatment of iron deficiency is oral supplementation of iron. The traditional Unani system of medicine practiced in South Asia offers Sharbat Faulad, for oral administration of iron for treatment of iron deficiency conditions. Aim of the study: Besides providing a recommended quantity of iron in a therapeutic dosage to treat anaemia, it is equally important that significant fractions of the administered quantum be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The study was designed to estimate the absorption and bioavailability of iron in Sharbat Faulad in animal model. Methodology: A Comparative Pharmacokinetic study of iron absorption in animals after oral administration of market samples of Sharbat Faulad, manufactured by three different leading Unani pharmaceutical companies in India. Estimation of serum iron concentration after oral administration of the samples for 14 days was taken as the standard parameter for this study and the results were compared with the serum iron concentration of the blank control group. Results: The results indicated that the bioavailability of iron was in conformity with the contents of total iron in the samples. Conclusion: The serum iron concentrations in the test groups in the study were distinctly elevated as compared to control group but lacked statistical significance and the probable reason could be that the study was not conducted in iron deficient animals were the absorption of iron is maximum.

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