Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of polyherbal decoction, balaguluchyadi kashayam

Abstract

Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism of the body, however, persistent inflammatory responses lead to a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases. Commercially available drugs used for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases have adverse effects, whereas herbal medicines are useful to combat such situations. Balaguluchyadi kashayam (BK) is a polyherbal ayurvedic decoction used for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions. The effect of BK in the inhibition of monocyte-macrophage differentiation, pro-inflammatory enzymes as well as in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in the development and progression of chronic inflammatory conditions have been evaluated and reported in this study. Results presented in this paper provide a mechanistic explanation for the action of this polyherbal decoction in controlling chronic inflammatory conditions. The different fractions of the BK significantly reduce the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes 5-, 12-, 15 LOXs and COX2 when compared with the positive control Montelukast (for LOX isoenzymes) and Indomethacin (for COX). Further, the fractions inhibited the monocyte-macrophages differentiation and also inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL1β in LPS stimulated THP-1 derived macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, which were further supported by the gene expression analysis. From the results, it may be concluded that the polyherbal decoction BK effectively reduces the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages and also provides significant anti-inflammatory properties probably by blocking both the arachidonic acid metabolism and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL1β.