Anti-insomnia Effect of a Polyherbal Formulation on P-chlorophenyalanine Induced Experimental Animal Model.

Sleep is a dynamic and controlled set of physiological and behavioural practices during which the stabilisation and restoration processes of the body take place properly. Therefore, sleep disorders, especially chronic insomnia, can harm an individual's physical and mental health. However, the therapeutic alternatives are limited and possess severe side effects. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-insomnia effect of a polyherbal formulation (Sleep) (SLP) on p-chlorophenyalanine (PCPA) induced insomnia in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of PCPA induced the experimental condition, and the therapeutic effect of SLP was evaluated by studying the sleep pattern and expression of various neurotransmitters and receptors, along with neurotrophins. Moreover, insomnia-associated oxidative stress and inflammation were also studied. From the findings, we found that the SLP-supplemented animals improved their sleeping behaviour and that the major neurotransmitters, hormones, and receptors were maintained at an equilibrium level. Furthermore, the neurotrophin level was increased and pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced. The evaluation of oxidative stress markers shows that the antioxidants were significantly boosted, and as a result, lipid peroxidation was prevented. The overall findings suggest that SLP can be used as an effective medication for the treatment of sleep disorders like insomnia as it triggers the major neurotransmitter system.

Phytochemical analysis of Pathyashadangam kwath and its standardization by HPLC and HPTLC.

BACKGROUND: Pathyashadangam kwath, a classical ayurvedic polyherbal formulation is used for the treatment of cluster head ache, migraine, upper respiratory diseases, ear ache and night blindness. Review of literature suggested that characterization parameters of Pathyashadangam kwath are not reported. OBJECTIVE: To report characteristic parameters of Pathyashadangam kwath to confirm quality and purity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fruit pericarps of Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amalaki, aerial parts of Bhunimba, rhizome of Haridra, stem bark of Nimba and stem of Guduchi were the ingredients of Pathyashadangam kwath. Three batches of the kwath were prepared as per standard procedures. The kwath was evaluated for organoleptic, physical, phytochemical and chromatographic parameters as per standard methods. RESULTS: HPTLC analysis revealed that Toluene: Ethyl Acetate: Formic acid (2.5: 2.0: 0.5) was a suitable mobile phase for characterization of the kwath. HPLC analysis revealed that andrographolide was a suitable marker for standardization of the kwath. CONCLUSION: The characterization parameters presented in this paper may serve as standard reference for quality control analysis of Pathyashadangam kwath.