Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Potency of Two Formulations of Laghupanchamula Decoction

Abstract

Laghupanchamula decoction is used in Ayurveda to treat fever, asthma, skin diseases, and urinary calculi. The decoction consists roots of Desmodium gangeticum, Uraria picta, Solanum xanthocarpum, Solanum indicum and Tribulus terrestris. In Sri Lanka, Alysicarpus vaginalis (Aswenna in Sinhala) is often used as a substitute for D. gangeticum (Shalaparni) due to its limited availability. This study aims to compare the anti-inflammatory potency of the Laghupanchamula decoction prepared separately using D. gangeticum (LPD-1) and A. vaginalis (LPD-2). LPD-1 and LPD-2 were prepared according to the Ayurveda Pharmacopeia of Sri Lanka, and freezedried. The inhibition of protein denaturation assay and the heat-induced haemolysis assay were performed and anti-inflammatory activities were compared using a concentration series (5000.00 µg/mL to 39.06 µg/m). Diclofenac sodium was used as the standard. A one-way ANOVA test was performed to compare the antiinflammatory potency of the standard and two decoctions. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. In the inhibition of protein denaturation assay, IC50 values of LPD-1, LPD-2, and diclofenac sodium were 882.8, 5498.0, and 744.8 µg/mL, respectively, whereas IC50 values of heat-induced haemolysis assay were 1053.0, 3904.0, and 937.2 µg/mL, respectively. LPD-1 has demonstrated higher anti-inflammatory potency than LPD-2 (P < 0.05) in both assays, and the activity was comparable to the standard. Substitution of D. gangeticum with the roots of A. vaginalis in the preparation of Laghupanchamula decoction, as practiced in Sri Lanka, is considered pharmacologically inappropriate. Further studies are needed to compare the efficacy of both preparations thoroughly.