A review on herbal antiasthmatics

In traditional systems of medicine, many plants have been documented to be useful for the treatment of various respiratory disorders including asthma. In the last two decades the use of medicinal plants and natural products has been increased dramatically all over the world. Current synthetic drugs used in pharmacotherapy of asthma are unable to act at all the stages and targets of asthma. However some herbal alternatives employed in asthma are proven to provide symptomatic relief and assist in the inhibition of disease progression also. The herbs have shown interesting results in various target specific biological activities such as bronchodilation, mast cell stabilization, anti-anaphylactic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory and inhibition of mediators such as leukotrienes, lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, platelet activating, phosphodiesterase and cytokine, in the treatment of asthma. This paper is an attempt to classify these pharmacological and clinical findings based on their possible mechanism of action reported. It also signifies the need for development of polyherbal formulations containing various herbs acting at particular sites of the pathophysiological cascade of asthma for prophylaxis as well as for the treatment of asthma

Acute Toxicity and Diuretic Studies of the Roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd in Rats

Objective: Asparagus racemosus Willd has been used as diuretic in Ayurveda but has not been validated by a suitable experimental model. Hence the present study was undertaken. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out with an aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus utilizing three doses viz 800 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg and 3200 mg/kg for its diuretic activity in comparison with standard drug (furosemide) and control (normal saline) rats after doing acute toxicity study. Results: Acute toxicity study showed no fatality even with the highest dose and the diuretic study revealed significant diuretic activity (p < 0.05) in the dose of 3200 mg/kg. Conclusion: Asparagus racemosus showed diuretic activity at a 3200 mg/kg dose without acute toxicity. Keywords: Asparagus racemosus; Toxicity; Diuretic activity "Toxicidad Aguda y Estudios Diuréticos del Espárrago Racemoso Willd en Ratas" RESUMEN Objetivo: El espárrago racemoso Willd ha sido usado como diurético en ayurveda pero no ha sido validado mediante un modelo experimental conveniente. De ahí la razón para emprender el presente estudio. Materiales y Métodos: El estudio fue realizado con extracto acuoso de raíces de espárrago racemoso, utilizando tres dosis, a saber, 800 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg y 3200 mg/kg para analizar su actividad diurética, comparándolo con el medicamento estándar (furosemida), y ratas de control (solución salina normal) después de hacer un estudio de toxicidad aguda. Resultados: El estudio de toxicidad aguda no mostró fatalidad, incluso con la dosis más alta, y el estudio del diurético reveló una actividad diurética significativa (p < 0.05) con la dosis de 3200 mg/kg. Conclusión: El espárrago racemoso mostró actividad diurética en una dosis de 3200 mg/kg sin toxicidad aguda. Palabras claves: Espárrago racemoso, toxicidad, actividad diurétic