In vitro haemolytic and antioxidant activity of commercially available joshanda samples

Abstract

Joshanda is a polyherbal formulation of Unani origin widely used in Pakistan for the treatment of the common cold, bronchitis and inflammation as a substitute for expensive pharmaceutical drugs. Due to its common use it is important to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the active ingredients of joshanda and hemolytic activity is an important starting point in this regard providing primary information regarding the relationship between joshanda constituents and biological molecules at cellular level. The present study was designed to check the haemolytic and antioxidant activity of different joshanda samples commercially used in Pakistan. As per literature survey this is the first report of haemolytic activity of different joshanda samples available in the market. All joshanda samples showed significant antioxidant potential in DPPH radical scavenging assay with activity ranging between 92.87 to 81.67% at composition commonly used. In haemolytic assay the samples showed lysis of human red blood cells with % hemolysis ranging between 30.46 to 38.32% at concentrations normally used. Phytochemical analysis of the samples indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, phenolics, glycosides, terpenoids, and sterols while anthraquinones and quinones were absent in all the samples. Total phenolics, flavonoids and tannins were also determined for the joshanda samples. The study concluded that the poly herbal formulation is an important source of antioxidants which might be responsible for its pharmacological activities but at the same time hemolytic activity observed demands detailed cytotoxicity testing of these joshanda samples as well.