An Experimental Study to Evaluate the Anti-inflammatory and Immunmodulatory Effects of UNIM-352, a Polyherbal Preparation for Bronchial asthma

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the possible anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory effects of UNIM-352, a polyherbal Unani preparation, which was used for bronchial asthma in traditional system of medicine. In KLH immunized rats, UNIM-352 (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, orally for 14 days) attenuated the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, and the Th2 cell derived cytokine, IL-4, in blood and BAL fluids, as compared to vehicle controls. Studies with acute anaphylaxis revealed that UNIM-352 prevented, antigen challenge induced mast cell degranulation in a dose related manner and reduced anaphylactic mortality. At both dose levels, UNIM-352 was able to significantly inhibit the serum IgE levels when compared to vehicle treated control group. All these effects were comparable to prednisolone that was used as reference standard for the experiment. In studies for cell mediated immunity, UNIM-352, at the dose level studied, did not have any appreciable influence on the DTH assay as measured by change in footpad thickness in immunized and challenged rats. These results indicated that UNIM-352 might have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may be contributing to its beneficial effects in bronchial asthma.