In-vivo evaluation of Anti-nociceptive, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Hypoxia and Gastro-intestinal potentials of SwasKas Chintamani Ras

Background: SwasKas Chintamani Ras (SKC) an Ayurvedic preparation used for respiratory disease was tested for the pharmacological study using small laboratory animals. The purpose of the experiment is to study the analgesic and anti-inflammatory, antipyretic activity, drug's property to modify the survival time, gastro-intestinal effects/side-effects. Method: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the drug was carried out by three complementary test methods namely formalin induced paw licking test, xylene induced ear edema test and acetic acid writhing test. Antipyretic activity of the drug was determined by infra-red thermometry test. Drug's property to modify the survival time of mice was studied by hypoxia test. For investigating the gastro-intestinal effects / side-effects gastric emptying test, gastro-intestinal motility test, colon transit time test and castor oil induced anti-diarrhoea test were conducted. Mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect was observed by formalin induced paw licking test and xylene induced ear edema test in SKC treated animal that was more prominent in female mice. Results: SKC at a dose of (100 mg/kg) showed significant analgesic effect, surprisingly reverse effect was observed at the higher doses. SKC treated male/female mice exhibit overall decrease in body temperature at dose 100 mg/Kg in the experimental period. SKC results in negligible decrease in gastric emptying at 2nd hour but increases in gastric emptying at 4th hour in experimental male mice. SKC at the dose of 100 mg/kg, showed an increase in the gut motility from the early 1sthrs to 4th hr. SKC also showed increase in colon transit time indicating possibility of potential laxative effect. Conclusion: It can be said from this experiment that SKC is devoid of any prominent side effects, further in-depth toxicological study is recommended to validate the safety of this Ayurvedic drug.