Immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” with augmentation of IgM production and lymphocytes proliferation: A preliminary study

Objective To assess the immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal preparations, “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa”. Methods Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were cultured with “Saribadi” or “Anantamul Salsa” treatment [doses of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%, 3.00% and 4.00% (v/v)] at 37 °C for 5 days. The immunoglobulin M (IgM) production and lymphocytes proliferation were determined by ELISA and MTT methods, respectively. Endotoxin contamination was assessed by treating the preparations with polymyxin B. Results The doses of “Saribadi” [0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% (v/v)] significantly increased IgM productions (0.966, 0.728, 0.695 and 0.615 μg/mL vs. control 0.265 μg/mL) and lymphocytes proliferation [absorbance 0.311, 0.394, 0.372 and 0.334 optical density (OD) vs. control 0.162 OD]. Similarly, the doses of “Anantamul Salsa” [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.50% (v/v)] promoted IgM productions (0.933, 0.919, 0.917 and 0.892 μg/mL vs. control 0.502 μg/mL) and the doses of “Anantamul Salsa” [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%, and 3.00% (v/v)] stimulated lymphocytes proliferation (absorbance 0.395, 0.326, 0.440, 0.398, 0.452 and 0.355 OD vs. control 0.199 OD). The activity of “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” was not retarded by the treatment of preparations with polymyxin B. Conclusions Immunomodulatory activity of “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” was unveiled for the first time. “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” possess immunostimulating potential acting through the induction of lymphocyte proliferation and IgM production. These preparations may be useful in strengthening immune responses. However, further cellular and in vivo studies are required.

investigation on the pharmacological activity of an ayurvedic formulation mahadraksharista

In this study an Ayurvedic formulation Mahadraksharista was studied for its pharmacological properties using laboratory mice. There was a constant reduction in food and water intake in Mahadraksharista treated mice, consequently there was also a reduction in urine volume, stool and water content of stool. The Mahadraksharista in a significant extent reduced the intestinal motility. This reduced intestinal motility was further supported by the significant anti-diarrhoeal property of the preparation in castor oil induced diarrhoea test. The formulation markedly increased the latent period of diarrhoea and reduced the purging index value. The Mahadraksharista significantly reduced the onset of sleeping time, but had no effect on the duration of sleeping time

Effect of vasantakusumakar rasa: an ayurvedic antidiabetic drug on central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract

The present study was carried out to investigate some pharmacological effects of Vasantakusumakar Rasa [VKR] on the Central Nervous System [CNS] and the Gastrointestinal [GI] Tract utilizing laboratory mice. The CNS study comprised of Hole cross test, Open field test and Hole board test and the GI study comprised of GI-Motility, Castor oil induced and MgSO[4] induced diarrhoeal tests. VKR showed stimulatory effect in the Hole cross test, Open field test and the Hole board head dipping test. In case of GI-Motility test, VKR decreased the gut movement. In case of Castor oil induced diarrhoeal test the mean latent period increased. There was no prominent effect in MgSO[4] induced diarrhoeal tests. Conclusion from the above tests reveals that VKR has CNS stimulant activity and constipatory effect on the Gastrointestinal Tract

Bioactivity studies of the individual ingredients of the Dashamularishta

The bioactivity studies of the individual ingredients of Dashamularishta ' a classical Ayurvedic preparation were done with the aqueous extracts of the individual ingredients. The Aegle marmelos Correa. exhibited severe toxicity to the brine shrimp [BST] nauplii, wheat rootlet growth [WRG] inhibition bioassay and lettuce seed germination [LSG] bioassay. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus in vero cell line. The Oroxylum indicum exhibited moderate toxicity to the BST and WRG, but it is not toxic to the LSG. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus. The Stereospermum suaveolens exhibited severe toxicity to the BST and LSG, but it is not toxic to the WRG. It exhibited total inhibition to the growth of Reo virus, but it has not effect on the PPR virus. The Premna integrifolia showed severe toxicity to the BST, but it was not toxic to the WRG and LSG. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus. The Gmelina arborea exhibited severe toxicity to the BST and WRG, but it is not toxic to the LSG. It exhibited no inhibition to the growth of PPR and Reo virus. The Solanum xanthocarpum showed mild toxicity to the BST, WRG and LSG. It exhibited 75% inhibition to the growth of Reo virus. The Solanum indicum showed no toxicity to the BST, WRG and LSG. It exhibited 75% inhibition to the growth of PPR virus. The Desmodium gangeticum showed no toxicity to the BST, but moderate toxicity to the WRG and LSG. It exhibited total inhibition to the growth of PPR virus. The Uraria lagopoides showed no toxicity to the BST, WRG and LSG. It exhibited total inhibition to the growth of Reo virus. The Tribulus terrestris showed no toxicity to the BST, but showed moderate toxicity to the WRG and LSG. It exhibited 75% inhibition to the growth of both PPR and Reo virus

Screening of some medicinal plants for their effects on the gastrointestinal motility of the laboratory animals

A highly significant peristaltic activity was found in Phragmites maxima Blatter and McCann, Imperala cylindrical Beauv, Saraca asoca [Roxb.] de Wilde, Nigella sativa Linn., at both intervals. Saccharum spontaneium L., Pterocarpus santalinus f., Nyctanthes arabor-tristis L., Adhatoda vasica Nees., increased the GI motility at significant level [p < 0.005] only at 15 minutes. Saccharum officinarum Linn. and Numphaea lotus Hook f and Thoms increased the motility after 30 minutes intervals. Dichelactina nodicaulis Hance., Pentaptera mollis Presl., Embica officianlis, Zingiber officinale Rosc., Cyperus rotundus Linn., Tinospora cordifolia Will., Tribulus terrestris Linn., Terminalia chebula Retz., and Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. did not show any effect on gastrointestinal motility experiments. Plumbago zeyanica Linn., Woodforida fruticosa Kurz, Piper longum Linn., Iraria lagopodioides, Curcuma domestica Valeton, Symplocos racemosa Roxb., Crataeva religiosa Buch-Ham, and Terminalia bellerica Roxb. showed a decreasing tendency on GI motility at intervals. The Embelia ribes Burm f., Crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham, Argyreia speciosa Burm f. Boj., Boerhaavia diffusa Linn., Centratherum anthelminticum Kuntze, Ipomoea turpethum Linn., Butea monosperma Kuntze and Piper nigrum Linn. showed significant decrease in peristaltic movements only at 15 minutes intervals. The Semecarpus anacardium Linn. [p < 0.001] showed a very high GI motility inhibiting effects showing no motility at both intervals

Curing gonococci of Blactamase production with ethidum, acridius orange or acriflavine

In 12 beta-lactamase producing strains of N gonorrhoeae tested, the coding for enzyme production was sensitive, to varying degrees, to one or more of the three agents - ethidium bromide, acridine orange, or acriflavine. The substances tested were able to eliminate the plasmid responsible for beta-lactamase production but the time required varied. The Far Fast type of gonococci [plasmid 4.4 Md] were cured in under a week whereas the Liverpool/Ghana type [plasmid 3.2 Md] required more than 7 days treatment