Nagapashana Pishti - A Potent Cardio Tonic

Nagapashana (Serpentine), a hydrous silicate of Magnesium (Mg6 (Sio10) OH8), is an important mineral drug used in Ayurveda, often in the form of Pishti (fine powder of Nagapashana). It is a Hrudya Dravya (cardiotonic). It is particularly indicated in Hrud Dourbalyaa, a condition associated with weakness of cardiac muscles. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in developed and developing countries. The present study was conducted to evaluate the cardio tonic activity of Nagapashana Pishti on Wistar rats. In the in-vivo study, Doxorubicin (2mg/kg) for 7 days was used to induce cardiac damage and the cardio tonic effect of Nagapashana Pishti at a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg.b.w, was compared with standard drug Digoxin. Biochemical assays like serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG) and Creatine kinase Monoenzyme B (CKMB) were done together with histopathology of heart tissue and ECG analysis. The in-vivo study revealed that Nagapashana Pishti (300mg/kg) was relatively more effective due to decreased QT and ST interval in ECG, significantly reduced levels of serum CKMB, SGOT, SGPT, TC and LDH and improvement in myocardial tissue.