Abstract / Summary
Background: Tamaka Shwasa is a Vata-Kapha predominant disorder characterised by Shwasa Kashtata, Kasa, Ghurghuraka and Pratiloma Vayu. Its clinical manifestations show close resemblance to bronchial asthma, particularly with respect to recurrent breathlessness, cough and airway obstruction. Ushiradi Churna is a classical formulation described in Charaka Samhita, Yogaratnakara, Vangasena and Brihat Nighantu Ratnakara etc. for the management of Tamaka Shwasa. Despite its classical therapeutic indication, systematic Pharmaceutico-analytical and experimental evaluation of the formulation is limited. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the Pharmaceutico-analytical characteristics of Ushiradi Churna and its experimental effect in bronchial asthma. Aims and objective: To prepare Ushiradi Churna according to the classical method and evaluate its analytical characteristics. To assess its experimental evaluation in an ovalbumin-induced model of bronchial asthma. Materials and Methods: Ushiradi Churna was prepared using fine powders of Ushira, Kaliyaka, Lodhra, Padmaka, Priyangu, Katphala, Shankha Bhasma, Shuddha Gairika and Chandana. The prepared formulation was evaluated for physicochemical and instrumental parameters. Experimental evaluation was conducted in Wistar albino rats using an ovalbumin-induced bronchial asthma model. Animals were divided into 4 groups. Total and differential cell counts; body weight, lung weight, CRP and lung histopathology were assessed. Results & Conclusion: Ushiradi Churna was obtained as a light-brown powder. It demonstrated characteristic elemental and crystalline features. In the experimental study, Ushiradi Churna reduced the increased total cell count induced by ovalbumin and showed favourable changes in differential cell count and lung histopathology. The findings provide preliminary experimental support for its classical use in Tamaka Shwasa.