Evaluation of antitussive activity of formulations with herbal extracts in Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) induced cough model in mice.

Cough is the most common symptom of respiratory diseases. When cough becomes serious, opioids are effective, but they have side effects like sedation, constipation, some addiction liability and also compromise the respiratory function. Therefore, there is need to have effective anti-tussive agent which do not have respiratory suppressant activity. The present study was carried out to evaluate anti-tussive activity of combination of herbal drugs as formulations in sulphur dioxide (SO2)-induced cough model in mice. Albino mice of either sex, weighing 25-30 g were divided into eight groups, (n = 6). Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 mice were given distilled water, group 3 was positive control and received codeine sulphate (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and group 4, 5, 6, 7 received coded l formulations 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively at a dose of 0.3 ml/mice, orally, while group VIII was the vehicle control. Thirty minutes later, the mice were exposed to sulphur dioxide again for 45 sec. The mice were then placed in an observation chamber for counting of cough bouts, by two independent observers, for five minutes. All the formulations used showed significant antitussive activity in sulphur dioxide induced cough model. Thus, these formulations can prove to be useful for alleviating cough.

Management of chronic hepatitis B with New Livfit in end stage renal disease.

New Livfit (NLF) is a standardized, poly-herbal formulation that has been found useful in the management of hepatitis. The aim of this placebo-controlled study was to evaluate its usefulness against hepatitis B virus in the patients of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients were regularly evaluated at 6, 12, 24 and 36 weeks of therapy. With 36 weeks of treatment of NLF, there was rapid clearing of HBV-DNA in a significant number of patients. Significant seroconversion of the other markers of hepatitis B and restoration of the raised levels of ALT and AST was observed. The study suggests the potential usefulness of NLF in the control of HBV infection in the patients of ESRD prior to renal transplant.

Reversal of paclitaxel induced neutropenia by Withania somnifera in mice.

The effect of aqueous extract of Withania somnifera (L. Solanaceae) was studied against paclitaxel induced neutropenia in mice. After paclitaxel 1 mg/kg, i.v. administration significant fall in total WBC and absolute neutrophil count was observed on day 3 and day 5. W. Somnifera (200 mg/kg, p.o.) per se produced significant increase in neutrophil counts. W. somnifera (200 mg/kg, p.o.) when administered for 4 days before paclitaxel treatment and continued for 12 days caused significant reversal of neutropenia of paclitaxel. The findings of the study suggest the potential of W. somnifera as an adjuvant during cancer chemotherapy for the prevention of bone marrow depression associated with anticancer drugs.

Role of Lipistat in protection against isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis in rats: a biochemical and histopathological study.

A test drug (Lipistat) comprising of equal-proportions of extracts of Terminalia arjuna, Inula racemosa Hook, latex of Commiphora mukul, in three different doses (225 mg/kg; 350 mg/kg; 450 mg/kg) were administered orally daily for 6 days a week for 60 days in rats. Thereafter, the rats were subjected to isoproterenol (ISO) induced (85 mg/kg, s.c. for 2 days) myocardial necrosis. Gross and microscopic examinations (histopathology) were done along with estimations of myocardial tissue high energy phosphates (HEP) stores and lactate content. Gross examination showed significant (P < 0.05) cardioprotection in Lipistat treated animals. On microscopic examination no statistically significant reduction in myocardial damage by 350 and 450 mg/kg of Lipistat were observed although loss of myocardial HEP stores and accumulation of lactate were significantly prevented. The results of the present study suggest the potential usefulness of Lipistat in the prevention of ischemic heart disease.