Abstract
Ayurveda is a traditional form of medicine used by majority of the Indians. Here we report three cases of lead toxicity, following intake of Ayurvedic medicines. Three patients presented with blood lead levels (BLLs) of 122.4, 115 and 42.8 μg/dl respectively at the time of hospitalization. The first case was chelated with D- penicillamine, the second with calcium disodium ethylene diamino tetra acetate (EDTA) and the third with environmental intervention and education. Associated Ayurvedic products were collected from patients and analyzed for metallic concentration. Cessation of Ayurvedic medication along with chelation, nutritional intervention and education, reduced the BLL to 27.4 μg/dl in the first case after 1 year, 21.1 μg/dl after 9 months in the second and 18.2 μg/dl after 6 months in the third case.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Gogtay NJ, Bhatt HA, Dalvi SS, Kshirsagar NA. The use and safety of non-allopathic Indian medicines. Drug Saf. 2002;25(14):1005–9.
Prpic Majic D, Pizent A, Jurasovic J, Pongracic J, Restek-Samarzija N. Lead poisoning associated with the use of metal-mineral tonics. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1996;34:417–23.
Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, Khouri N, Davis RB, Paquin J, et al. Lead mercury and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the internet. JAMA. 2008;300(8):915–23.
Saper RB, Kales SN, Paquin J, Burns MJ, Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, et al. Heavy metal content of Ayurvedic herbal medicine products. JAMA. 2004;292:2868–73.
Ernst E. Toxic heavy metals and undeclared drugs in Asian herbal medicines. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2002;23(3):136–9.
Raviraja A, Vishal Babu GN, Geraldine M, Venkatesh T. Lead toxicity as a result of herbal medication. Indian J Clin Biochem. 2008;23(2):200–3.
Chan K. Some aspects of toxic contaminants in herbal medicines. Chemosphere. 2003;52(9):1361–71.
Tait PA, Vora A, James S, et al. Severe congenital lead poisoning in a preterm infant due to a herbal remedy. Med J Aust. 2002;177(4):193–5.
Lead poisoning associated with use of traditional ethnic remedies—California, 1991–1992. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1993;42:521–4.
Dunbabin DW, Tallis GA, Popplewell PY, Lee RA. Lead poisoning form Indian herbal medicine (Ayurveda). Med J Aust. 1992;157:835–6.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Raviraja, A., Vishal Babu, G.N., Sehgal, A. et al. Three Cases of Lead Toxicity Associated with Consumption of Ayurvedic Medicines. Indian J Clin Biochem 25, 326–329 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-010-0051-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-010-0051-9