Antiasthmatic Potential of Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth)

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants or their preparations play a major role in the prevention, treatment of various diseases as well as improve quality of life with maintenance of health. Bronchial asthma is a common respiratory disease that affects about 18% of world's population. In Ayurveda perspective, bronchial asthma along with other conditions related to difficulty in breathing is described under shwasa roga. Numerous herbs have been described in Ayurveda treatises that are useful in shwasa roga, and shirisha (A. lebbeck) is one among them. Aim: To critically analyze the antiasthmatic activity of Medicinal plants shirisha (Albizia lebbeck) and its importance in the management of shwasa roga. Results: This review study mainly focuses on the shwasahara karma, i.e., antiasthmatic action of a popular Medicinal plants, specifically Shirisha. Various research papers and studies have been reviewed and referred in the present study to establish the antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, eosinophil lowering, mast cell stabilizing, immunomodulatory, antihistaminic, and antiasthmatic action of shirisha. Other than its use as a single drug, there are different ayurvedic formulations indicated in shwasa roga that have shirisha as one of their main contents. Conclusion: Despite various uses of shirisha in different disease conditions, shirisha has very effective antiasthmatic action. Several research studies (both in vitro and in vivo) have been done that establishes antiasthmatic, antiinflammatory, antihistaminic, etc. activity of shirisha. It is concluded that shirish (A. lebbeck) is a very competent medicinal plant that can be used as a single herb or in formulation in the management of bronchial asthma. Clinical significance: Shirish is an excellent Medicinal plant that possesses promising bronchodilation, antiinflammatory, and antiasthmatic activity. Shirisha can be used as a single herb or in compound formulation in asthmatic patients. Including such kind of medicinal plants can minimize the dependency on inhalers, reduces the frequency as well as duration of acute or chronic cases of asthma.