Abstract:
Siddha system of medicine is one of the ancient systems of medicine practiced
among Tamil speaking communities particularly in southern parts of India,
Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. “Seendhil Sarkkarai” is one of the
authentic and multipurpose Siddha single herbal preparation of extract powder of
the stem of Tinospora cordifolia. Initiation of antigen reaction stimulates mast cells
to release histamine into the blood. Which interacts with the cells to produce most
of the symptoms of allergy. Drugs that block only the action of histamine are known
as antihistaminic while the drugs preventing mast cells from releasing histamine
are considered anti-allergic agents. In this study, the effects of Siddha drug, extract
powder of the stem of T. cordifolia was studied on the active anaphylaxis and mast
cell stabilization in matured Wister rats and histamine induced bronchospasm in
matured guinea pigs. The aim of study was to evaluate the anti-histaminic activity
on extract powder of the stem of T. cordifolia in histamine-induced bronchospasm
in guinea pigs. Inbred Wister rats 175-200 g) and guinea pigs (400-600 g) of either
sex were used and housed in standard conditions (temperature 22±2 °C, relative
humidity 60±5% and 12 h light/dark cycle). They were fed with standard pellet diet
and water as required. Mast cell stabilizing activity was studied in twenty-four rats,
divided into four groups each with six individuals. Bronchospasm was induced in
guinea pigs by exposing them to 1% histamine aerosol under constant pressure (1
kg/cm2) in an aerosol chamber (24×14×24 cm) made of persplex glass, of three
groups each with six animals. The result showed that the extract powder of the stem
of T. cordifolia at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for 2 weeks resulted in a
significant reduction (p<0.001) in the number of disrupted mast cells and
significantly prolonged the latent period of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)
(p<0.001) as compared to control, following exposure to histamine aerosols on day
five. Future studies are needed to determine the phytoconstituent responsible for
the above mentioned findings, as well as their clinical usefulness in the treatment
of associated disorders.
