Phytomedicine Plus (Feb 2023)
Immunostimulatory activity of a novel ayurvedic propriety formulation based on extracts of herbs used in chyavanprash
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Chyavanprash is an ayurvedic formulation, a Rasayana known to promote overall well-being, immunity, and vitality. It contains powerful antioxidants, good hepatoprotective and immunomodulating agents. Chyavanprash is also known to protect and strengthen respiratory health, thereby providing immunity against respiratory infections. A novel ayurvedic proprietary formulation (based on the aqueous extracts of herbs used in Chyavanprash) was developed to offer a differential taste experience and deliver a standardized quality for health benefits. The immune-stimulatory role of these extracts and the underlying mechanistic evidence had to be studied. Aim of the study: The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and prophylactic efficacy of the test product based on extracts of herbs used in Chyavanprash in a preclinical study. Material and methods: The test product was studied to evaluate acute toxicity and prophylactic efficacy in influenza-like virus (HCoV-229E)-infected mice model for viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) load estimation in lung tissues. Immunophenotyping of B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cell subpopulations were assessed. Cytokines immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were also evaluated in serum samples. Two doses of the test product, 1,000 mg/kg body weight and 500 mg/kg body weight against the disease and normal control were studied. Quality control of the test product was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with gallic acid and ascorbic acid as marker compounds. Results: At a dose of 1,000 mg/kg body weight, the test product showed a 99.79% reduction in viral RNA load in lung tissues and a significant 2-fold increase in B cells, i.e., 19.89 ± 0.25% cells vs. 9.46 ± 1.67% in disease control (p <0.01). A significant change with increase in IgG, IgM and a decrease in IL-6, TNF-α was observed in both the test groups as compared with disease control. Mast cell degranulation in rat mesenteric bits, preincubated with test product 250 µg/mL concentration showed a 76.7% protection against compound 48/80 treatment. The product was safe even at the highest tested dose (5 g/kg body weight) in the acute toxicity study. Conclusion: This study proves that the formulation with extract of herbs used in Chyavanprash contains phytocompounds, which could be potential immunomodulatory agents that provide immunity and protection against allergies.
