Preclinical Evaluation of a Siddha Polyherbal Formulation Eraippu Noi Chooranam in the Management of Eraippu Noi Branchial Asthma in Children

Abstract

An attempt was made to validate the efficacy of Eraippu Noi Chooranam through preclinical studies. The medicine was selected from the text Siddha Research Pharmacopoeia by Dr. Shanmugavelu and Dr.G.D. Naidu and was subjected to slight modifications so as to potentiate the drug. The raw drugs required for the preparation were purchased from Siva Gurunaatha Pillai. Indian drug merchant, Thickanamcode, Kanyakumari district, and regarding the collection of plants, neem and Kuppaimeni were collected from in and around Kanyakumari district and chiru seruppadai and Potralai kaiyan were collected from the surroundings of Viruthunagar district. The drugs were authenticated by the medicinal botanist of NIS and the medicine was prepared in the Gunapadam Laboratory of National Institute of Siddha after purification of the individual raw drug. Physicochemical analysis of the test drug was carried out which revealed that it was in the standard quality. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phytosterols, flavanoides, aminoacids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and tannin. I-IPTLC analysis was carried out and Rf values were calculated. Single dose acute toxicity study revealed that Eraippu Noi Chooranam was safe and did not produce any toxic effect at the dose of 2000 mg/kg. So, No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) of ENC was 2000 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: The present clinical study confirms the safety and efficacy of the trial drug quotEraippu Noi Chooranamquot which is Siddha poly herbal formulation. The poly herbal formulation ENC exhibited no toxicity on short term administration. ENC possess significant anti asthmatic, anti histaminic, bronchodilatory, anti inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities thus proving its efficacy in the management of bronchial asthma. The safety and efficacy study of ENC proved that the drug was safe and possess moderate efficacy against Eraippu Noi (Bronchial Asthma). This formulation can be tested for its clinical efficacy in humans by an open clinical trial.