COMPARATIVE FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF BRANDED MARKET SAMPLES OF AN AYURVEDIC FORMULATION: DASHAMOOLARISHTA

Abstract

Dashamoolarishta is a well known Ayurvedic Rasayana preparation comprising ten different roots.  At least two of these plants are rare, compelling use of alternatives or substitute plant parts, which could results in pharmacological variation in marketed formulations. Moreover, studies on their anti-inflammatory properties are also lacking. This investigation evaluated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of six selected eminent brands of Dashamoolarishta (A, B, C, D, E & F). Sample F stood out as highest (Total Phenolics: 21.67± 0.06 mg GAE/g dry mass; ABTS: 29.23 ±0.09 % and Anti Lipid Peroxidation: 91.94 ±0.02 %). Sample E scored lowest in all these values. Formulations F, B and E were further compared using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model of inflammation. All formulations exhibited variations in anti-inflammatory activity. Maximum inhibition was in animals intervened with formulation F (44.16 %) comparable to that of standard Diclofenac (48.10 %, 10 mg/kg) at 6 h. Our findings support the Ayurvedic rationale of using Dashamoolarishta formulation and its therapeutic use in treatment of inflammatory diseases. It is reiterated that significant variation exists in biochemical and pharmacological potential among marketed formulations.