An Investigation of the Effects of Counterfeit Neurobion on Serum Micronutrient Levels in Female Rats

Abstract

Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are essential to life, health and development. While their deficiencies have been widely linked with various pathological presentations, their serum elevated levels have also been recognized in many disease states. Many agents even those with therapeutic usefulness have been known to alter serum micronutrients levels. This raises the stake with fake drug administration. The aim of the study therefore is to identify if administration of fake neurobion is capable of causing serum micronutrient alterations in female Wistar rats of average age of thirteen weeks. Eighteen rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 rats each. The first, second and third groups of rats were dosed with 30 mg/kg BW of fake Neurobion, genuine neurobion®, and distilled water respectively. The route of administration was by gastric gavage. Determination of serum mineral and vitamin levels were carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric method and high performance liquid chromatographic technique (HPLC) respectively. Of all the minerals (Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Co, Fe, Mo, and Cr), none was significantly different with their p value being p>0.05 except Mn. Serum levels of riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and vitamins A, C, D and E were also not significantly different but those of thiamine, pyridoxal and cyanocobalamin were significantly different, with significantly higher levels observed only in genuine neurobion administered rats. It seems evident from results obtained that the fake neurobion used for the study is deficient in significant amount of thiamine, pyridoxal and cyanocobalamin.