RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nayopayam kwatha (NK) is a well-known polyherbal formulation widely used to cure respiratory ailments, heart problems, and postnatal difficulties. Literature suggests that so far no standardization protocol was developed for NK to validate its quality and purity. OBJECTIVE(S): To develop a standardization protocol for NK based on the marker phytoconstituents present in the individual herbs of the formulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The roots of bala [Sida cordifolia (B1) and Sida retusa (B2)], seeds of jeeraka (Cuminum cyminum), and rhizomes of nagara (Zingiber officinale) were the ingredients of NK. Since there were two source plants for bala, two sets of NK (NKB1 and NKB2) were prepared in the ratio 3:2:1 as per Vaidya Manorama and 10:1:1 as per Arogyaraksha Kalpadruma along with 1:1:1 as per the general way of Ayurvedic polyherbal decoctions. Both the individual herbs and the kwatha (decoction) prepared were analyzed in terms of pharmacognostical, organoleptic, and physcicochemical parameters as per the standard methods. Phytochemical analysis of the individual herbs resulted in the isolation of major phytoconstituents and the kwatha was quantified in terms of marker compounds with the aid of HPLC. RESULTS: HPLC quantification suggests that appreciable amount of marker phytoconstituents of individual herbs are present in the kwatha. Thus, the isolated compounds luteolin (C. cyminum), 6-gingerol (Z. officinale), ß-sitosterol (S. retusa), and ecdysterone (S.cordifolia) can be used as markers to standardize NK. CONCLUSION: Characteristics of NK, as well as its individual drugs, were well-established. The present study of NK with respect to its phytochemistry revealed that the classical drug ratios of the polyherbal formulation are of utmost importance rather than the ingredients in equal proportion. The characterization parameters of individual herbs and kwatha described in this study may serve as a standard reference for quality control analysis of NK and the method developed in this study can be used as a reliable technique for standardization of NK to ensure the purity and quality of raw drugs used.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Traditional healing practitioners of South India use fine paste (an Ayurvedic dosage form known as 'kalka') of Lobelia alsinoides Lam., an ethno medicinal plant for curing hepatic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in-vivo hepatoprotective effect of a candidate formulation viz. kalka containing whole plant (L. alsinoides Lam.) in rat model of Carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity. MATERIALS & METHODS: Hepatotoxicity was induced in Wistar albino rats by oral administration of 1.25 ml/kg CCl4 once every day for 7 consecutive days. A candidate kalka formulation (fine paste) was prepared and administered to rats at different dose rates of 0.54 g/kg, 1.08 g/kg and 2.16 g/kg daily. At the end of the study-period, the serum levels of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and total cholesterol were monitored. Further, the hepatic pathology was evaluated for assessing the extent of hepatotoxicity in the control and hepatoprotective effect in treatment groups. Meanwhile in-vitro antioxidant activity of kalka was evaluated by hydroxy radical, nitric oxide and DPPH (2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil) radical scavenging assays. Further, a 'limit test' was done in accordance with OECD Guidelines 425 (acute toxicity). RESULTS: The animals treated with the fine paste of L. alsinoides did not show an elevation in the biochemical values compared to CCl4 treated rats and during histomorphologic evaluation, hepatoprotective effect was evident with scattered mitotic figures in the parenchyma. Acute toxicity evaluation indicated that doses up to 2500 mg/kg are not toxic to rats. It has a good anti-oxidant activity also. CONCLUSIONS: From the study, it was obvious that L. alsinoides had significant hepatoprotective effect in CCl4 induced liver toxicity in rats. This ethno medicinal plant is certainly a promising hepatoprotective drug in liver disorders.
