Abstract

Background: Naga Bhasma (Lead Calx) has been widely utilized in the Indian system of medicine, for managing various disorders, especially Prameha (Diabetes). The present study was aimed at investigating the In vitro cytotoxicity and glucose uptake assay of a combination of 60 Puta Naga Bhasma (lead calx) plus Nisha (Curcuma longa Linn.) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis Linn.) Choorna i.e. NB60 using the HepG2 cell line.
Material and methods: Primarily, the culture of HepG2 cells was performed followed by the preparation of test samples for cytotoxicity through MTT assay at various concentrations of NB60. Further, the calculation of IC50 and glucose uptake potential of of NB60 was done in HepG2 cells.
Results: Less than 60% cells activity was observed at concentrations of 100 µg/ml and 50 µg/ml in cytotoxicity analysis of of NB60. On the contrary, it was noted more than 80% cell activity was observed as well as subsequently increasing activity with decrease in dose from 25 µg/ml, 12.5 µg/ml, and 6.125 µg/ml. The IC50 value of NB60 for cytotoxicity was calculated as 28.82 µg/ml. In addition, the relationship between the relative fluorescence Unit (RFU) obtained during glucose uptake assay and the concentration of NB60 was observed to be inversely proportional to each other. Moreover, the optimum activity was noticed at dose of 25 µg/ml of NB60.
Conclusion: The test drug exhibited affirmative effects on glucose uptake at 25 µg/ml to 3.125 µg/ml rendering its glucose uptake potential in HepG2 cells.

Key words: Glucose uptake assay, HepG2 cells, In vitro study, Lead, Naga Bhasma