Comparative evaluation of Ayurvedic nebulizing fluid for antihistaminic and antitussive activity

Abstract

Background: Nebulizer is a drug delivery device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs. However, in Ayurveda, there is need of such types of dosage form which meet the need of hour. Hence, with this aim, an aerosol was prepared with the herbal ingredients of Shirisharista formulation, which is used in Tamaka Swasa (viz. bronchial asthma). In classics, Twak (stem bark) of Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck Benth) is advised to take. In this study, Sara (heart wood) and Patra (leaf) of Shirisha were also taken along with Twak with the aim to know that if Sara can produce more efficacious result than Twak. Similarly, Patra was taken to protect the plant from any destruction. Materials and Methods: The three samples of aqueous extracts were prepared with Twak, Sara, and Patra of Shirisha with the rest nine herbal ingredients of Shirisharista in each. This was modified by adding alcohol to obtain better therapeutic effects. This study was performed to evaluate antihistaminic and antitussive activity of an Ayurvedic nebulizing fluid (ANF) in guinea pig and Swiss albino mice, respectively. To antihistaminic activity of three samples of test drug was assessed on isolated guinea pig ileum and prepared according to the standard method. Antitussive activity was studied by inducing cough with sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) and followed by treatment with test drugs. Result: The result showed that stem bark aqueous extract showed the best antihistaminic and antitussive activity. Test drugs contain major active constituents from different plant sources such as pipperin and curcumin, which induces a cough suppressant pharmacological effect and represents an attractive approach through an ANF. Conclusion: The bark extract of Shrisha and other nine herbals showed maximum efficacy. This study clearly proof the fact of classics that Twak was used by ancient scholars is relevant to get the maximum efficacy. Thus, formulation and this dosage form may be useful to alleviating asthma.