In-Vitro and In-Vivo Assessment of Anti-Asthmatic Activity of Polyherbal Ayurvedic Drug

Abstract

About 80% of asthmatic turn to alternative or complementary therapies typically in conjunction with their regular allopathic medication. The role of complementary and alternative medicine in adult asthma treatment is limited because these approaches have been insufficiently researched and their effectiveness is largely unproven. In the present study in –vivo and in-vitro effectiveness of a polyherbal Ayurvedic drug is evaluated for its anti-asthmatic activity. For in –vitro assessment of anti-asthmatic property of drug antiinflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulator effect, and antihistaminic, anti-cholinergic, mast cell stabilizing activity, anti-anaphylactic activity and bronchodilator effect were screen on animal models. Evaluation of Effect of Drug Distribution on Lung Mechanics is also evaluated using MATLAB. In a randomised,open, placebo controlled trial the effects of drug was compared with placebo medication (normal saline) in 60 adults with mild to moderate asthma as an adjunct to conventional treatment. Animal studies showed that drug possess significant mast cell stabilizing activity, immunomodulator activity, bronchodilator activity and anti- anaphylactic activity. Insignificant anti-cholinergic activity was found in the drug. There was significant improvement found in pulmonary function test (including FEV1, FVC and PEFR)in the group treated with polyherbal drug .Improvement remain constant in consecutive follow-ups signifies that there is no reverse bronchoconstriction after discontinuation of drug. This study signifies that polyherbal drug (Shirishadi ) may prove beneficial future alternative remedy for asthma and its effect is similar to that of modern contemporary drug when given through nasal route.