IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF PRASARANI SANDHAN, A TRADITIONAL POLYHERBAL AYURVEDIC MEDICINE, FOR IMMUNOSTIMULATING ACTIVITY IN SPLENIC CELLS OF BALB/C MICE

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the immunostimulating potential of an Ayurvedic preparation Prasarani Sandhan (PRS) by measuring immunoglobulinM (IgM) production and splenocytes proliferation in vitro.Methods: Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were treated with 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4% (v/v) of PRS and the cells were sub-cultured at 37°C, humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 for 120 hours. IgM production and cells proliferation were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y)-2,5-diphenylterazolium bromide (MTT) methods, respectively. The presence of endotoxin was determined by treating PRS with polymyxin B in culture.Results: PRS at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5% (v/v) significantly promoted polyclonal IgM productions (1.847, 2.024, 1.986, 1.958, and 1.465 µg/mL, respectively) compared to control (0.358 µg/mL). Similarly, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1% (v/v) of the preparation significantly stimulated splenocytes proliferation (absorbance 0.346, 0.394, 0.385, and 0.378 respectively, at 570 nm) compared to control (Abs. 0.156). The highest increment of IgM production and splenocytes proliferation by 0.50% PRS was 5.65 and 2.52-times than control. Polymixin B treated PRS significantly reduced its ability for IgM production and cells proliferation by 51.5% and 30%, respectively. Thus, the findings suggest that the apparently observed enhancement of IgM by PRS was due to the contamination of bacterial endotoxin, PRS has no immunostimulating property.Conclusion: This is the first report on the immunostimulating activity of PRS. Prasarani Sandhan was contaminated with bacterial endotoxin and the preparation failed to exhibit immunostimulating activity in vitro.Â

Immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” with augmentation of IgM production and lymphocytes proliferation: A preliminary study

Objective: To assess the immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal preparations, “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa”. Methods: Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were cultured with “Saribadi” or “Anantamul Salsa” treatment [doses of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%, 3.00% and 4.00% (v/v)] at 37 °C for 5 days. The immunoglobulin M (IgM) production and lymphocytes proliferation were determined by ELISA and MTT methods, respectively. Endotoxin contamination was assessed by treating the preparations with polymyxin B. Results: The doses of “Saribadi” [0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00% (v/v)] significantly increased IgM productions (0.966, 0.728, 0.695 and 0.615 μg/mL vs. control 0.265 μg/mL) and lymphocytes proliferation [absorbance 0.311, 0.394, 0.372 and 0.334 optical density (OD) vs. control 0.162 OD]. Similarly, the doses of “Anantamul Salsa” [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.50% (v/v)] promoted IgM productions (0.933, 0.919, 0.917 and 0.892 μg/mL vs. control 0.502 μg/mL) and the doses of “Anantamul Salsa” [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%, and 3.00% (v/v)] stimulated lymphocytes proliferation (absorbance 0.395, 0.326, 0.440, 0.398, 0.452 and 0.355 OD vs. control 0.199 OD). The activity of “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” was not retarded by the treatment of preparations with polymyxin B. Conclusions: Immunomodulatory activity of “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” was unveiled for the first time. “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” possess immunostimulating potential acting through the induction of lymphocyte proliferation and IgM production. These preparations may be useful in strengthening immune responses. However, further cellular and in vivo studies are required

Assessing the Perceptions and Practice of Self-Medication among Bangladeshi Undergraduate Pharmacy Students

Objectives: To evaluate the perceptions and extent of practicing self-medication among undergraduate pharmacy students. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted over a six month period (January to June 2016) among undergraduate pharmacy students in five reputable public universities of Bangladesh. It involved face-to-face interviews regarding self-medication of 250 respondents selected by simple random sampling. Results: Self-medication was reported by 88.0% of students. Antipyretics (58.40%) were mostly preferred for the treatment of fever and headaches. The major cause for self-medication was minor illness (59.60%, p = 0.73) while previous prescriptions were the main source of knowledge as well as the major factor (52.80%, p = 0.94) dominating the self-medication practice. The results also demonstrated 88.80% of students had previous knowledge on self-medication and 83.60% of students always checked the information on the label; mainly the expiry date before use (85.60%). A significant (p < 0.05) portion of the students (51% male and 43% female) perceived it was an acceptable practice as they considered self-medication to be a segment of self-care. Furthermore, students demonstrated differences in their response level towards the adverse effect of drugs, the health hazard by a higher dose of drug, a physician’s help in case of side effects, taking medicine without proper knowledge, and stopping selling medicine without prescription. Conclusions: Self-medication was commonly used among pharmacy students primarily for minor illnesses using over-the-counter medications. Although it is an inevitable practice for them it should be considered an important public health problem as this practice may increase the misuse or irrational use of medicines