Anti-inflammatory properties of BHUx, a polyherbal formulation to prevent atherosclerosis

Abstract

BHUx is a polyherbal formulation consisting of water-soluble fractions of five medicinal plants (Commiphora mukul, Terminalia arjuna, Boswellia serrata, Semecarpus anacardium and Strychnos nux vomica). The present study was undertaken to evaluate its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. BHUx, standardized by HPLC fingerprinting and filtered through 0.2 microm filter paper, was employed for different studies under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Under in vivo conditions, BHUx significantly reduced inflammation in the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model of inflammation, suggesting its anti-inflammatory properties. In order to test the mechanism of action of BHUx, further in vitro studies were undertaken on cumene-hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation (CHP) in liver homogenate, LPS-induced NO production in peritoneal macrophages and on key enzymes of arachidonic acid cascade, involved in the mediation of inflammation. Under the conditions, BHUx showed concentration-dependent inhibition of CHP-induced lipid peroxidation in liver homogenate, suggesting its antioxidant properties. Similarly the potent anti-inflammatory effects of BHUx are evident by (a) preferential inhibition of COX-2 (IC50 for COX-2 = 80 microg/ml and IC50 for COX-1 = 169 microg/ml), (b) low ratios in the IC50 values of COX-2/COX-1 (0.47), (c) decreased production of NO in LPS-induced peritoneal macrophages and (d) inhibition of 5-LOX (IC50 = 795 microg/ml). BHUx also showed a preference for inhibiting 15-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 44 microg/ml), a key enzyme implicated in LDL oxidation. These studies suggest that BHUx is acting mainly at three levels, i.e., as a potent natural antioxidant, by reduction of key inflammatory mediators of arachidonic acid cascade and by preventing 15-LOX-mediated LDL oxidations, to prevent atherosclerosis.

Role of Sandhika: A Polyherbal Formulation on MC3T3-E1 Osteoblast-like Cells

“…Previously, BHUx, a modified formulation from Sandhika, has been shown to inhibit the activity of lipoxygenase-15 and cyclooxygenase-2 in a specific manner [34]. It has also shown significant protection against plaque development (Atherosclerosis) in the coronary artery [33], which is now suggested to be a progressive inflammatory disease [38].…”

“…Recently, we have reported that BHUx, a patented polyherbal formulation, prevents the diet-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits [33]. It acts through antiinflammatory pathways, specifically by inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, lipoxygenase-15 and by its potent antioxidant property [34]. Since BHUx was originally derived from Sandhika, which is already in clinical use for the last 20 years for the management of arthritis [35], we investigated the role of Sandhika on LPS-induced changes in the calcium nodule formation in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic like cells.…”

Anti-inflammatory effect of Lithrea molleoides extracts and isolated active compounds

“…Besides, anti-ulcerogenic activity of aerial parts has been reported (Araujo et al, 2006). A new cytotoxic resorcinol derivative was isolated from this plant (López et al, 2005) To our knowledge, there are no pharmacological studies that evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of Lithrea molleoides but it has been reported that other species of Anacardiaceae such as Mangifera indica (Knödler et al, 2008), Semecarpus anacardium (Tripathi et al, 2004), Schinus terebinthifolius (de Carvalho et al, 2003) and Anacardium occidentale (Ojewole, 2004) present anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, flavonoids with antiinflammatory activity were isolated from different members of this family, e.g.…”

BHUx: A Patent Polyherbal Formulation to Prevent Atherosclerosis

“…It is a patented polyherbal formulation (12), simultaneously targeting oxidative stress and inflammation (13). It consists of a specific water-soluble extract of five medicinal plants, which are time tested and have been used in the ayurvedic system of medicine for many centuries (14).…”

“…CaCO 3 (Shankha Bhasma) has been added to the finished product to reduce gastric irritation, if any. The finished product has been standardized by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprinting (13). …”