Classical texts of Ayurveda advocate the use of seeds of Kulattha (Dolichos biflorus Linn. synonym Vigna unguiculata Linn. Fabaceae) both as drug and diet. It is recommended as a drug of choice for the management of urinary calculi (Ashmari). Kulattha (Horse gram) is considered to have the proclivity for producing acid peptic disorders (Amlapittajanana) and as unwholesome diet item in disease conditions like Visarpa (Erysipelas), Kushtha (Skin disease), Raktapitta (Haemmorhagic disease), Vatarakta (Gout) etc. The aim is to evaluate safety profile of Kulattha seeds. Powder suspension was administered in therapeutic dose (TED) (350 mg/kg/day), and fivefold of therapeutic dose (TED× 5) (1800 mg/kg/day), for sixty days, in albino rats and effect on different parameters was studied. Control group received distilled water. Paired and unpaired Student's t test for respective data with the level of significance set at P<0.05. Significant decrease (P<0.01) was observed in blood urea in TED group, SGPT activity was found to be decreased (P<0.05) in TED×5 group while direct bilirubin was decreased (P<0.05) at both doses of Kulattha. Significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in total WBC count with both the doses of Kulattha. No significant changes were observed in rest of the studied parameters. Thus increase in WBC is the only change which can be considered to be of some pathological significance. It can be inferred that at the doses studied Kulattha is not likely to affect functioning of the vital organs.
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