Validation of therapeutic anti-inflammatory potential of Arjuna Ksheera Paka – A traditional Ayurvedic formulation of Terminalia arjuna
Authors
Nivedita Dube
Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad-500 007, Telangana, India
Chetan Nimgulkar
Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad-500 007, Telangana, India
Dinesh Bharatraj
Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Hyderabad-500 007, Telangana, India
Arjuna Ksheera Paka (AKP), a traditional Ayurvedic formulation of Terminalia arjuna (T. arjuna) bark powder is used for its cardioprotective effects. However, its anti-inflammatory efficacy remained unexplored. In the present study, AKP was prepared in cow milk (as per standard Ayurvedic procedure) and compared with standard hydroalcoholic extract (HA) of T. arjuna. The extracts were analyzed for gross phytoconstituents levels, and their antioxidant activity was assayed by DPPH free radical scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of AKP and HA was studied in carrageenan-induced hind paw biphasic edema in C57BL/6 mice (at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg BW).
The percentage extraction yield of AKP was two folds higher than HA implying that the phytoconstituents in AKP were diluted by a factor of 0.5. The total polyphenol content of HA was (3.8 times) higher than AKP and the antioxidant activity of HA was also higher compared to AKP. Both the extracts, however, showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity in reducing paw edema in mice. The efficacy of HA was more than AKP at early phase of inflammation, whereas, in the late phase of inflammation AKP was more efficacious and equipotent to HA. Thus, regardless of low in vitro antioxidant activity, AKP exhibited potential in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The higher efficacy of AKP could be due to the presence of milk solids. These milk solids may act as adjuvants to T. arjuna's phytoconstituents, contributing to their sustained bioavailability, leading to higher in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy at lower drug concentrations.
Keywords: Terminalia arjuna, Arjuna Ksheera Paka, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Ayurveda
Click on "Archives" to access the full archive of scientific preprints. You may use the categories and the search functionality to find select preprints you're interested in.
