Antitoxic effect of herbal drugs mentioned in Ashtang Hridaya in the context of insect bites

There is an immense variety of species, such as flies, bees, wasps, ants, lice, butterflies, dragonflies, and mosquitoes. These insects make up more than half of all known living organisms and could potentially account for over 90% of the distinct life forms on Earth. Insects frequently come into contact with humans, and their bites can trigger various symptoms due to their poisonous effects. Out of eight branches of Ayurveda, Agada tantra has the centre of interest in the description of various types of poison and the treatments dealing with poison, i.e., Agad (antidotes/antitoxic formulation). The Acharyas have documented various medicinal plants and Agad formulations specifically designed to treat Keet Visha (Insect bite poison) and its associated symptoms in their Samhitas. In a group of antitoxic drugs (Vishaghna Mahakashay), the drugs which are mentioned are used in various combinations or individually for the cure of poisoning or the symptoms related to poisoning. In these studies, we aim to offer an evidence-based approach to the choice of anti-toxic effect of herbal drugs, which is mentioned in the Ashtanga Hriday in the context of insect bites like Tagara, Nagkeshar, Haridra, Daruharidra, Manjishtha, and Patang. The data was sourced from Ayurvedic treatises and various textbooks on Agadatantra. Research papers published online were accessed using search engines like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, AYUSH Research Portal, and DHARA. The reviewed Antitoxic drugs Haridra, Daruharidra, Patang, Manjishtha, Tagar and Nagkeshar all have antimicrobial and antibacterial activity, which may help to prevent the infection by killing the bacteria and can promote healing. Reviewed studies show most of the drugs are blood purifiers, some having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-virulence, analgesic, antihistaminic, and anti-microbial properties. The diverse pharmacological properties and actions of these ingredients make them valuable not only for treating insect bites but also for other conditions such as pain, inflammation, skin issues, gastroenteritis, and fever. Further research is essential to fully understand their efficacy in treating poisoning and related symptomatic conditions. This review aims to compile comprehensive knowledge of all antitoxic drugs with its constituents, highlighting their therapeutic, pharmacological and medicinal uses.