Immunostimulatory activity of a novel ayurvedic propriety formulation based on extracts of herbs used in chyavanprash

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceChyavanprash is an ayurvedic formulation, a Rasayana known to promote overall well-being, immunity, and vitality. It contains powerful antioxidants, good hepatoprotective and immunomodulating agents. Chyavanprash is also known to protect and strengthen respiratory health, thereby providing immunity against respiratory infections. A novel ayurvedic proprietary formulation (based on the aqueous extracts of herbs used in Chyavanprash) was developed to offer a differential taste experience and deliver a standardized quality for health benefits. The immune-stimulatory role of these extracts and the underlying mechanistic evidence had to be studied. Aim of the studyThe goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and prophylactic efficacy of the test product based on extracts of herbs used in Chyavanprash in a preclinical study. Material and methodsThe test product was studied to evaluate acute toxicity and prophylactic efficacy in influenza-like virus (HCoV-229E)-infected mice model for viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) load estimation in lung tissues. Immunophenotyping of B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cell subpopulations were assessed. Cytokines immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were also evaluated in serum samples. Two doses of the test product, 1,000 mg/kg body weight and 500 mg/kg body weight against the disease and normal control were studied. Quality control of the test product was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with gallic acid and ascorbic acid as marker compounds. ResultsAt a dose of 1,000 mg/kg body weight, the test product showed a 99.79% reduction in viral RNA load in lung tissues and a significant 2-fold increase in B cells, i.e., 19.89 ± 0.25% cells vs. 9.46 ± 1.67% in disease control (p <0.01). A significant change with increase in IgG, IgM and a decrease in IL-6, TNF-α was observed in both the test groups as compared with disease control. Mast cell degranulation in rat mesenteric bits, preincubated with test product 250 µg/mL concentration showed a 76.7% protection against compound 48/80 treatment. The product was safe even at the highest tested dose (5 g/kg body weight) in the acute toxicity study. ConclusionThis study proves that the formulation with extract of herbs used in Chyavanprash contains phytocompounds, which could be potential immunomodulatory agents that provide immunity and protection against allergies.