Anti-Histaminic Activity of Kaphaketu Rasa on Histamine Induced Bronchospasm in Guinea Pigs

Introduction:

Ayurveda the science of life has been contributing significantly to the medical science in India and worldwide along with modern medicine. By integrating the knowledge of ethno pharmacology, Phyto- chemistry, various herbs, minerals have been identified and are used to treat different allergic disorders including Asthma, Urticaria, Eczema, etc., They are found to be safe, effective and cheap. Because of wide spread use of alternative system of medicine, efforts to enhance understanding about these forms of treatment have to be made. These allergic disorders are the most common conditions, affecting mankind. High prevalence rate of allergic disorders ranging between 25 to 50% during the life time of persons and their ever increasing incidence of severity worldwide are a matter of concern.

Kaphaketu Rasa may be the answer for all afore said concern. Hence it is felt that research with certain parameters is needed in this regard. The present study was designed to establish its effects more scientifically by evaluating Anti histaminic property of Kaphaketu Rasa experimentally in particular respiratory allergic disorder. Thus keeping this in view, the present study was planned to work on “Anti- Activity of Kaphaketu Rasa on Histamine Induced Bronhcospasm in Guinea Pigs”. Using animal models we have quantified the dose adjustment of Kaphaketu Rasa so as to minimize the drug utilization.

Materials & Methods

• Preparation of Kaphaketu Rasa

Kaphaketu Rasa is a Khalveeya Rasayana Judicially containing shodhita Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox), Shodhita Tankana (Borax), Pippali (Piper longum), Shankha Bhasma (Calyx of Conch) & Ardraka Swarasa Bhavana (Juice of Ginger) for 3 times.

• Preparation of 1% histamine:

For the preparation of 1% histamine aerosol, 250mg of histaminewas dissolved in 25ml saline. This solution was readily prepared to avoid the degradation of the histamine in solution form.

• Preparation of KaphaKetu Rasa solution

50 mg formulation dissolved in 10 ml distilled water (1% acacia powder) as suspending agent. The suspending agent was used to disperse the drug uniformly.

• Animals:

Dunken Hartley strain guinea pigs (350-550 g) of either sex, housed in standard conditions of temperature (22± 2°C), relative humidity (55± 5%) and light (12 h light/dark cycles), were used and fed with green vegetables. The Institutional Animal Ethics Committee approved the experimental protocol.

• Histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs

Bronchospasm was induced in guinea pigs by exposing them to 1% histamine aerosol under constant pressure (1 kg/cm² ) in an aerosol chamber (24 × 14 × 24 cm) made of perplex glass. Of the two groups of five animals each, Group I served as control and Group II received test drug Kapha Ketu Rasa16mg/kg, orally, once a day for 5 days. The animals were exposed to 1% histamine aerosol under constant pressure (1 kg/cm² ) in an aerosol chamber on day 0 without any treatment. The end point, preconvulsive dyspnea (PCD) was determined from the time of aerosol exposure to the onset of dyspnea leading to the appearance of convulsion. As soon as PCD commenced, the animals were removed from the chamber and exposed to fresh air. This PCD was taken as day 0 value. On days 1,2,3,4 and 5, 2 hr after the administration of the drug, the time for the onset of PCD was recorded as on day 0.

Statistical analysis.

• The results of various studies were expressed as mean±SEM (standard error mean) and analysed statistically using unpaired't' –test to find out the level of significance. Data were considered statistically significant at p<0.0001.

Results:

• The Kapha Ketu Rasa at two different doses i.e., 20 and 25mg/1.5kg,were administered in guinea pigs by oral route. The apparatus used for induction of Pre convulsion dyspnoea by using histamine and administration of dose was done by custom made cage as shown in Figure 1. After spraying of the histamine, animals were observed closely to see the Pre-convulsion dyspnoea. Results of PCD of control as well as treated groups are shown in Table 1. It was observed that the significantly extended the latent period of PCD as compared with the control in both the cases, following exposure to histamine aerosols on day 3, 4 and 5 respectively.

• DISCUSSION

Phyto chemical constituents of Kaphaketu Rasa showed presence of steroids:- which actively blocks the histamine receptors as well as presence of alkaloids, Triterpenoids, Saponines indicative of Anti Histamine activity of Kaphaketu Rasa. The effect of the drug showed steadily increased action from 3rd day more on 4th and 5th day. Kaphaketu rasais a herbo-mineral khalveeya rasayana with an unique combination of antihistaminic and antiasthamatic drugs like Shankha bhasma with its katu, Kashaya, kshareeya rasa is pittaka phahara, also possesses kasa-swasa hara property and antihistaminic propertry. According to the modern pharmacology ,the histamine release in the blood is influenced by calcium carbonate (which is the chemical constituent of shankha bhasma).

Vatsanabha by its rooksha,teekshna, laghu, vyavayi, vikasi guna and ushna veerya, it is vata kaphahara, kasa-shwasa hara and having bronchodilatation and anti inflammatory action. Tankanais vata kaphahara, kasa shwasa hara, kapha vishleshana by virtue of its kshareeya, katu rasa, rooksha, teekshna guna and ushna veerya. So, acts as an potent anti inflammatory and expectorant. Pippali an immune modulator specially of respiratory system is vata kaphahara, amapachaka, jwaragna and shwasa-kasahara. Along with the increase of bio availability of drug, pippali acts as anti inflammatory. Hence, judicious combination of kaphaketu rasa by its synergestic effect found to beherbo mineral drug counter acting the histaminic activity of tamaka shwasa.

Conclusion

Histamine is a central mediator in the pathogenesis of allergic and inflammatory disorders. In the present study, The Kapha Ketu Rasa prolonged the latent period of PCD in guinea pigs following histamine aerosol. This may be suggestive of an antihistaminic activity following treatment with Kapha Ketu Rasa.