This document studies the toxicology of acetaminophen and potential natural alternatives. It provides background on acetaminophen, including its chemical properties, uses, mode of action, and toxicity from overdose. Toxicity occurs when acetaminophen is metabolized to NAPQI, which can damage liver cells. The document then examines Hemidesmus Indicus as a potential alternative, outlining its components, properties, and evidence that it has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. It concludes that while acetaminophen is widely used, natural remedies may provide safer alternatives for long-term use due to the toxicity risks of acetaminophen.

1. Toxicology of Acetaminophen and its
potential natural drug alternatives
‘A preliminary study’
Manorma Negi
Toxicology
2017-09-26

2. To study the mechanism of Acetaminophen
• Introduction:
Acetaminophen
Chemical Name : (Acetaminophen 4-Acetamidophenol,
Other Name: Paracetamol, Tylenol, Anacin 3 Paracetamol)
• C8H9NO2
• Synthesis:

3. Chemical and
Physical
Properties
Analgesic and antipyretic.
Modulate central and peripheral pain
mechanism
May inhibit the nitric oxide (NO).
Antipyretic activity may result from
inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

4. Uses of Acetaminophen:
• Headache
• Fever
• Cold
• Muscle ache
• Arthritis
• Backache
• Toothache
• WHO prescribed 4000 mg a day dosage.

5. Mode of Action
Fatty acid amide
hydrolase
N-arachidonylphenolamine

6. Toxicity
• Acetamenophen overdose occurs due to
• NAPQI(N-acetyl-p-benzo-quinone imine)
is no longer able to bind to glutathione.
• Instead, NAPQI reacts with the cysteine
group of hepatocellular proteins.
• Leads to the loss of cell function and cell
death.

7. Signs of side effects
• Vomiting
• Hepatic damage
• Nausea
• Stomachache
• Dark urine colour

8. Hemidesmus Indicus (H.Indicus)
• Other name: Sarasaparilla, Anantmool
• Components: Sarsaponin, smilacin, p-methoxy salicylic
aldehyde, beta-sitosterol, sarsapogenin, smilgenin,
sitosterol, stigmasterol fatty acids and tannins,
saponins.
• Properties:
Ragulates igG.
Antipyretic and Analgesic.
Liver pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate
carboxykinase enzymes inhibition.

9. Case study accounts
• Anti-Inflammatory Activity Is a Possible Mechanism by
which the Polyherbal Formulation Comprised of Nigella
sativa (Seeds), Hemidesmus indicus (Root), and Smilax
glabra (Rhizome) Mediates Its Antihepatocarcinogenic
effects.
• Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of
hemidesmus indicus root extract.
Anti inflammation, antipyretic effects were shown in
time and dose dependent manner in yeast induced
pyrexia (<0.05)

10. Possible mode of
anti
inflammatory
action
Hemidesmus Indicus

11. Conclusion:
• Acetaminophen used world wide as an antipyretic analgesic medicine
but it does not cure inflammation. Perhaps, there are many natural
product act as good analgesic e.g. Capsaicin,salicilin.
• Not an NSAID as Aspirin.
• Because of the danger of its toxic effect we can rely on it for long.
• Natural remedies, products can be a efficient substitute.

12. References:
• Acetaminophen Metabolism." Wikimedia Commons. Web. 8 Oct
2010.
• Paracetamol: mechanisms and updates “Continuing Education in
Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain j Volume 14 Number 4 2014”
• Acetaminophen blocks spinal hyperalgesia induced by NMDA and
substance P
• Anti inflammatory activity by Hemidesmus indicus and Nigella sativa
seeds mediates anti hepatocarcinogic effect.
• Antipyretic activity of Hemidesmus indicus.