Polyherbal Combinations Research Articles

Effectiveness of Gout Therapy with Polyherbal Extract of Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) and Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale var rubrum) in Hyperuricemia Mice

Gout can cause inflammation of acute gout arthtritis, as well as other complications. Provision of chemical drugs in the long term have side effects. Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) contain flavonoids which can inhibit the xanthine oxidase enzyme, so as to reduce uric acid levels. Red ginger extract (Zingiber officinale var rubrum) is rich in gingerol to reduce uric acid with anti-inflammatory effect. Polyberbal combination is expected to increase the effectiveness of therapy. The research aims to determine the effectiveness of polyherbal combinations. 25 male rats (2-3 months) were divided into five groups, namely negative control, positive control, (P1) 25% red ginger extract: 75% shallot, (P2) 50% red ginger extract: 50% shallot, ( P3) 75% red ginger extract: 25% shallot. Induction of potassium oxonate 250 mg / kg BW intraperitoneally on the 7th day. The first measurement of uric acid on the 14th day with Urid Acid Toos, the 15th to 28th days was administered herbal / chemical drugs according to the group. Measurement of second and third uric acid on days 21 and 28. Data were analyzed by one-way Anova (RAL), further significance tests using Least Significant Different (LSD). The results showed that administration of potassium oxonate and combination of herbal extracts had a significant effect (p <0.05) on uric acid levels in all groups. The most effective herbal combination doses are (P3) 75% red ginger (450 mg / 200 gr) and 25% shallot (150 mg / 200 gr BW). The conclusion of this study is the combination of red ginger extract and shallot can be recommended as a uric acid-lowering agent.

Clinical efficacy of Unani herbal formulation in Zeeq-Un-Nafas Shoabi (Bronchial asthma)

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the top ten most common diseases worldwide causing significant social and economic burden on the patient, family and health system. Despite the availability of safe and effective respiratory medication, problems such as under diagnosis, medication, adherence issue and poor understanding of asthma and COPD have led to the condition being poorly managed worldwide. The term Zeeq-Un-Nafas Shoabi (Bronchial Asthma) is clinically used for those conditions where longstanding irritation in mucous membrane of bronchioles results in cough and excessive production of sputum. Although Zeeq-Un-Nafas Shoabi (bronchial asthma) has not been described as such in Unani literature but the features mentioned under the headings of sual barid, sual ratab and sual nazli muzmin in various books correspond with the signs and symptoms of Zeeq-Un-Nafas Shoabi (Bronchial Asthma). Among all the treatment modalities, polyherbal combinations are said to be well-accepted, safe and effective in asthma. The reason for the therapeutic efficacy of herbal combinations in asthma is due to multiple blocking and homeostasis of very complex and interdependent cellular and mediator networks supporting and involved in the inflammatory process of asthma, whereas modern synthetic drug therapy aimed at blocking one mediator alone would be unlikely to have any significant effect on the disease process. None of the available treatments are found to be effective to provide a complete cure of this disease.

Ameliorative effect of a standardized polyherbal combination in methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in the rat

Context Nephrotoxicity is a renal dysfunction that arises from direct exposure to environmental chemicals or as a side effect of therapeutic drugs. Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae), Rheum emodi Wall. Ex. Meissn. (Polygonaceae), Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nelumbonaceae) and Crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham. (Capparidaceae) are well-recognized medicinal plants of Indian traditional system of medicine used for kidney disorders. Objectives The present investigation was undertaken to develop a chromatographically characterized polyherbal combination and to evaluate its nephroprotective activity. Materials and methods Roots of B. diffusa and R. emodi, flowers of N. nucifera and stem bark of C. nurvala were extracted by decoction using 70% ethanol. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of extraction parameters. Polyherbal combinations with different doses (150–300 mg/kg) were tested against methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Results The optimized extract contained 27% phenols and 15% flavonoids, which showed 75% 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging potential. Based on the retention time of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, 17 out of 122 constituents were found common in all extracts and combinations. Two combinations showed significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) DPPH scavenging potential and xanthine oxidase inhibition. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the best combination for DPPH scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibition were 80 and 74 µg/mL, respectively. Treatment of methotrexate-induced nephrotoxic rats with polyherbal combination significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the kidney function markers, oxidative stress markers and histological parameters. Discussion and conclusion The developed combination was found to be effective in nephrotoxicity; it can be explored further for the management of drug-induced nephrotoxicity and other chronic kidney diseases.

Evaluating the Antimicrobial Efficacy of an Innovative, Novel Herbal Formulation on Dental Caries and Plaque Microorganisms - A Clinical Research.

To develop a novel, innovative herbal formulation that can prevent both dental caries and periodontal diseases simultaneously. This clinical research involved in vitro studies to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of combinations of Acacia nilotica, Murraya koenigii Linn Sprengel, Eucalyptus hybrid, and Psidium Guajava on dental caries and plaque bacteria followed by evaluation of phytochemical constituents in these plant extracts. MIC was determined using broth dilution method. Then, an animal experimentation was carried out to determine median lethal dose and adverse drug reactions following single oral administration of polyherbal extract which was followed by human experimentation. A short term double blind randomized double blind study on 34 adult human volunteers was undertaken to assess antiplaque efficacy of a novel polyherbal mouth rinse using 0.2% chlorhexidine as positive control.MIC of the polyherbal combinations on S. mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius, L. acidophilus, F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis was found to be 0.25%, 0.05% , 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.25% and 0.25% respectively. Median lethal dose (LD50) for herbal formulation was found to be more than 2000mg/kg body weight. In vivo study found that the polyherbal mouth rinse group had lesser plaque buildup, S mutans and total viable count in comparison with saline group with no significant difference in plaque build-up and total viable count between polyherbal rinse group and 0.2% chlorhexidine. Polyherbal mouth rinse containing Acacia nilotica, Murraya koenigii L.sprengel, Eucalyptus hybrid and Psidium guajava was effective against dental caries and plaque induced dental diseases.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Acacia nilotica, Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel, Eucalyptus hybrid, Psidium guajava extracts and their combination on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus.

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess antimicrobial efficacy of Acacia nilotica, Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel, Eucalyptus hybrid, Psidium guajava extracts, and their combination on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The branches of four plants were collected, identified, and authenticated by a taxonomist. The plants were rinsed in water, healthy leaves were separated and shade dried over a period of 3-4 weeks. Soxhlet apparatus using ethanol was employed for extraction procedure. The combinations of plant extracts were prepared by mixing equal quantities of 10% solutions of each of these extracts. 0.2% chlorhexidine and dimethyl sulfoxide were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The antimicrobial efficacy testing was done using agar well-diffusion method under anaerobic conditions. The mean diameter of inhibition zone was computed and compared between different categories using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test. A qualitative assay was carried out to identify the various phytochemical constituents in the plants. The data was assessed by SPSS version 20. The statistical significance was fixed at 0.05. All the plants extracts and their combinations inhibited S. mutans and L. acidophilus. However, the quadruple combination of A. nilotica + M. koenigii (L.) Sprengel + Eucalyptus hybrid + P. guajava produced the maximum inhibition zone (23.5 ± 2.2 mm) against S. mutans. Although, 0.2% chlorhexidine produced the highest inhibition zone against L. acidophilus (18.8 ± 1.2 mm), A. nilotica extract produced maximum inhibition among the various plant extracts and their combinations (14.1 ± 1.8 mm). All the individual plant extracts and their combinations were effective against S. mutans and L. acidophilus. These could be tried as herbal alternates to chlorhexidine. However, these in vitro results have to be further evaluated for any toxicity of the polyherbal combinations in animal models and effectiveness has to be assessed using in vivo studies on humans.

Minimum inhibitory concentration of the plant extracts′ combinations against dental caries and plaque microorganisms: An in vitro study

Introduction: Oral health status has witnessed marked advances in many industrialized countries. However, dental caries is consistently increasing in developing countries, and periodontal diseases are among most common afflictions to humankind. Approach best suited for developing countries is to focus on the prevention with innovative strategies. Hence, evolution of novel, innovative strategies to prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases is need of hour. Objective: To determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of combinations of Acacia nilotica, Murraya koenigii L. Sprengel, Eucalyptus hybrid, and Psidium guajava against dental caries and plaque microorganisms and to qualitatively identify various phytochemical constituents in individual plant extracts and their quadruple combinations. Materials and Methods: MIC of the combinations of A. nilotica, M. koenigii L. Sprengel, Eucalyptus hybrid, and P. guajava on Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus (dental caries bacteria), Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus salivarius (primary plaque colonizers), Fusobacterium nucleatum (secondary plaque colonizer), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (tertiary plaque colonizer) was determined using broth dilution method. Series of dilutions of quadruple combinations ranging from 0.05% to 1.5% were prepared. 100 μL of each serial dilution of quadruple combinations was added to each tube containing bacterial culture. The optical density was noted after incubation in each tube to estimate the MIC for each bacterium. Results: MIC of the polyherbal combinations on S. mutans, S. sanguis, S. salivarius, L. acidophilus, F. nucleatum, and P. gingivalis was found to be 0.25%, 0.05%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.25%, respectively. Conclusion: The quadruple combinations of these four plant extracts could be considered in the evolution of an indigenous polyherbal mouth rinse as the formulation inhibited all the bacteria tested in the present study at low concentrations.

Novel approach for sophistication of fingerprinting methods for polyherbal formulations

Polyherbal formulations (PHFs) are important category of traditional medicines (TMs) practiced in India. Ancient books of Ayurveda compiled several polyherbal combinations such as Triphala, Dashamoola etc for different therapeutic applications. Sarangdhar Samhita (1300 AD) has highlighted the concept of PHF based on several Ayurvedic principles[1]. Plants of varying potency when combined may theoretically produce a greater result, compared to individual use of the plant, and also the sum of their individual effect. Combination of herbals may act on multiple targets at the same time to provide a thorough relief often by positive herb-herb interaction called synergism[2] . In a disease condition, multiple organ systems are involved, therefore, drug should have a multiple targeted action. Molecules follow specific pathway and act on specific receptor, hence combination of different herbs targets different sites of action.

Development, evaluation and quality control of new antidiabetic ayurvedic polyherbal combination

The current study is designed to developed the new polyherbal combinations of emerging medicinal plants Morus alba (Moraceae), Annona squamosa (Annonaceae), Nelumbo nucifera (Nelumbonoceae) and Psidium guajava (Myrtacea) having effective antidiabetic activity with traditionally used medicinal plants. The formulation were also subjected for the determination of quality control parameters like the heavy metal content, thin layered chromatography (TLC) and high performance thin layered chromatography (HPTLC) profile with an aim to establish their protocols. All 3 formulations, (quoted as FA, FB and FC), are prepared from 10 medicinal plants on the basis of reported mode of action of these medicinal plants used in diabetes. Two dose level 200 and 400 mg/kg of formulations were chosen to evaluate the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normal rats and antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) induced diabetic ‘albino wistar’ rats. Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) was used as standard. Blood glucose level was measured at 0 h, after 3 h on 5, 10 and 15th day. All 3 combinations were compared on the basis of biochemical analysis (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), urea, creatinine) of blood plasma. Blood glucose level was determined by glucometer (Escencia entrust, Bayer Health Care). Study showed that FB was found extremely significant in reducing the blood glucose level as compared to all others. FB (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed maximum reduction in average blood glucose level (BGL) to 61.2 and 64.02%, with maximum decrease in average blood glucose level to 67 and 61.4 mg/dl near to standard glibenclamide (66.2%). The results obtained herein indicate that all 3 formulations showed effective antidiabetic activity in order FB > FC > FA and FB was proved to be most beneficial combination. Key words: Polyherbal formulation, antidiabetic therapeutics, medicinal plants, Annona squamosa, Morus alba, Nelumbo nucifera

An Indian Path to Biocapital? The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, Drug Patents, and the Reformulation Regime of Contemporary Ayurveda

For the past twenty years Indian Ayurvedic medicine has experienced a profound transformation originating in a complex process of industrialization and unequal but significant integration within the world of global pharmacy. The reformulation of classical combinations of medicinal plants described in centuries-old reference texts used by Ayurvedic practitioners lies at the heart of this process. Reformulation means at the same time simplifying and standardizing polyherbal combinations in order to (1) adapt them to mass and mechanized industrial processing, (2) mobilize elements of biomedical experimentation in the laboratory and the clinic to provide evidence of medical value, and (3) link Ayurvedic and biomedical categories to address the health needs of cosmopolitan consumers. Intellectual property rights play a peculiar role in the reformulation strategy since Ayurvedic formulas are viewed both as collective resources that must be protected from private appropriation to ensure further mining and as innovative products deemed protected through trademarks and patents.This article explores this conundrum, using the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) that the Indian government began to develop in 2000 as a lens into this Indian path to biocapital. The article discusses three dimensions of the TKDL trajectory: (1) its origins in the international controversies about “biopiracy”; (2) the structure and operations of the database and its complex relationship with Ayurvedic knowledge, since its main aim is to translate traditional formulations into a scientific and legal idiom amenable to the work of patent offices worldwide; and (3) the consequences outside of India of its establishment, in particular at the European Patent Office, where TKDL-based information is used to evaluate patent applications for polyherbal drug formulation protection, thus creating a new jurisprudence about the boundaries between the protection and the appropriation of traditional medical knowledge.

Combinational Effect of Cajanus cajan, Silybum marianum and Andrographis paniculata on In vivo Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities of Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxicated Albino Rats

Aim: To evaluate the combinational activity of Cajanus cajan, Silybum marianum and Andrographis paniculata for antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential. Place and Duration: Department of Botany, Dr. H. S. Gour University (HSGVV), Sagar, Department of Zoology, HSGVV, Sagar, between September 2012 to April 2013. Methodology: All three plants were subjected to Hydroalcoholic extraction. Adult albino Original Research Article Annual Research & Review in Biology, 4(4): 665-674, 2014 666 rats were taken as experimental model for evaluation of hepatoprotective activity by measuring Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and total protein levels while liver was dissected out for measuring Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) level for antioxidant activity. Results: S. marianum extract at 400 mg/kg.b.w showed better result among all three individual extracts by significantly decreasing the levels of AST and ALT (64.35 ± 8.17, 39.47 ± 5.61 U/L, respectively) and increasing the level of protein to 4.78 ± 0.41 mg/dl as compared to toxic control which is near to the value of standard drug. While the combination of the extracts showed enhanced activity as compared to that of S. marianum extract and standard drug (61.24 ± 3.7, 34.17 ± 3.21 U/L and 4.63 ± 0.22 mg/dl for AST, ALT and total protein respectively). For antioxidant activity, S. marianum increased the activity of SOD to 17.42 ± 0.63, CAT to 45.24 ± 1.84 and GPx to 21.96 ± 0.39 U/mg protein. Whereas, the combination of all three extracts in the concentration ratio of 1:1 increased the level of SOD, CAT and GPx to the near value of standard drug (18.12 ± 1.3, 44.24 ± 1.11 and 22.12 ± 0.46 U/mg protein). Conclusion: All three plants showed potent hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity. Combinational study showed better results as compared to individual plant extracts and suggests that the polyherbal combinations may be used for enhanced activity.

Efficacy and Safety of Two Polyherbal Combinations: E-MA-H and E-MA-HP in Male Sexual Dysfunction

Efficacy and safety of 2 herbal products--E-MA-H at 2 dose levels, low (HLD) and high (HHD), and E-MA-HP (HP) capsules--versus placebo (PL) was evaluated in subjects with male sexual dysfunction. Males aged 21-60 with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or other form of sexual dysfunction were studied in this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups trial. Subjects received any one of the following 4 interventions: E-MA-H 2 capsules at night (HLD) for 60 days; E-MA-H 2 capsules twice daily for 30 days, followed by 2 capsules at night for 30 days (HHD); E-MA-HP (HP) 2 capsules twice daily for 60 days; or placebo (PL) 2 capsules twice daily for 60 days. All dosage regimens were standardized to 2 capsules twice daily by using 2 matching placebo capsules as the morning dose for HLD and on days 31-60 for HHD. Efficacy outcome measures were the international index of erectile function; index for premature ejaculation; erectile dysfunction inventory of treatment satisfaction; subjects' and investigators' global assessment. Safety was assessed through adverse events; hematology; blood chemistry. Of 148 subjects enrolled, 1 was excluded from analysis; data on the intention-to-treat population of 147 (PL = 36, HLD = 38, HHD = 37, HP = 36) were analyzed. There was a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the total international index of erectile function score (mean ± SEM) in subjects receiving HLD (16.28 ± 1.39), HHD (15.40 ± 1.22), and HP (18.55 ± 1.36) compared with PL (6.83 ± 1.52). The same pattern was seen with increase in index for premature ejaculation scores: HLD (9.68 ± 1.17), HHD (10.27 ± 1.05), HP (11.36 ± 1.20) versus PL (3.77 ± 1.04). There was no significant difference in effect among the active treatment groups. The incidence of adverse events was similar in all the groups. Laboratory evaluations did not show any clinically significant abnormality in any of the groups. Treatment with HLD, HHD, and HP is well tolerated, and more effective than placebo (P < 0.01), in subjects with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and other forms of sexual dysfunction.

Clinical efficacy of herbal Padmapatradi yoga in bronchial asthma (Tamaka Swasa).

Ayurveda refers to bronchial asthma as Tamaka Swasa and it is well explained in Charaka Samhita. It contributes several modalities of the treatment for Swasa roga(asthma). Among all modalities of treatment, polyherbal combinations are said to be well-accepted, safe and effective in asthma. A study was carried out in 40 patients of either sex in between the age of 15-65 years to assure the clinical response of Padmapatradi yoga in bronchial asthma (Tamaka Swasa) at P.G. department of Kayachikitsa, D.G.M. Ayurvedic Medical College, Gadag, Karnataka. The sum total properties of Padmapatradi yoga is tikta katu rasa, laghu and tikna guna (light and penetrating properties), ushna virya (hot potency) and vatakaphagna (decrease vata and kapha dosa) Padmapatradi yoga is effective in increased peak expiratory flow rate, breath holding time, and reduces the absolute eosinophil count of studied cases and also found statistically highly significant at p<0.001 level. The drug is quite safe and acts as a bronchodilator, antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory.

Validating the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Artemisia afra in polyherbal combinations to treat respiratory infections

Artemisia afra is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in African traditional medicine and is commonly administered in polyherbal combinations to treat respiratory infections. Focussing on plant volatiles, the aim of this study was to provide scientific evidence for the antimicrobial activity of A. afra (principle plant) in combination with essential oils from three medicinal aromatic plants; Agathosma betulina, Eucalyptus globulus and Osmitopsis asteriscoides. In vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were undertaken on four pathogens ( Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Moraxella catarrhalis ATCC 23246, Klebsiella pneumoniae NCTC 9633 and Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 90112) to determine antimicrobial efficacy of the oils and their combinations. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) and isobolograms were used to interpret pharmacodynamic interactions such as synergy, antagonism or additive profiles. The antimicrobial activity of the individual oils mostly displayed moderate activity. Predominantly, additive interactions were noted. The most prominent synergistic interaction (FIC value of 0.5) was observed when A. afra was combined with O. asteriscoides in the 8:2 ratio (eight parts A. afra with two parts O. asteriscoides) against C. neoformans. No antagonistic interactions were evident.