Polyherbal Formulation Concept for Synergic Action: A Review

Abstract

Formulations restrain 2 or more than 2 herbs are called polyherbal formulation. Drug formulation in Ayurveda is based on 2 principles: Use as a single drug and use of more than one drug. The last is known as polyherbal formulation. The idea of polyherbalism is peculiar to Ayurveda even though it is tricky to explain in term of modern parameters. The Ayurvedic literature Sarangdhar Samhita tinted the idea of polyherbalism to attain greater therapeutic efficacy. Polyherbal formulation has been used all around the earth due to its medicinal and therapeutic application. It has also recognized as polyherbal therapy or herb-herb combination. The active phytochemical constituents of individual plants are inadequate to attain the desirable therapeutic effects. When polyherbal and herbo-mineral formulations combining the multiple herbs in a meticulous ratio, it will give an enhanced therapeutic effect and decrease the toxicity. The active constituents used from individual plant are inadequate to provide attractive pharmacological action. There are evidences that crude plant extracts often have greater potency rather than isolated constituents. In traditional medicine whole plants or mixtures of plants are used rather than isolated compounds. Due to synergism, polyherbalism confers some benefits which are not accessible in single herbal formulations. Polyherbal formulations express high effectiveness in numerous diseases with safe high dose. Based on the nature of the interaction, there are 2 mechanisms on how synergism acts (i.e., pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic). In words of pharmacokinetic synergism, the capacity of herb to ease the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of the other herbs is focused. Pharmacodynamics synergism on the other hand, studies the synergistic effect when active constituents with similar therapeutic activity are targeted by diverse mechanism of action. The present review encompasses all the significant features of polyherbal formulation.
 Keywords: Polyherbal formulation, Ayurveda, Active constituents, Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetic

Immunity against COVID-19: Potential role of Ayush Kwath

“…On correlating immune-pathogenesis of COVID-19 with immune-modulatory effects of herbs, Ayush Kwath can be an option before infection and during the non-severe stage to enhance immune response, prevent the propagation of COVID-19 virus to lower airways and thus help in early recovery with mild symptoms. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of this polyherbal formulation (PHF) is not yet studied, but it is believed that the pharmacological agents or the active principles of PHF may exert potentiating, synergistic, agonistic antagonistic actions resulting maximum therapeutic efficacy with minimal side effects [ 73 , 74 ].…”

Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on growth, yield, seed fixed oil content, and fatty acids profile of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

“…In addition, the seed contains flavonoids, mucilage, coumarins, sulfur glycosides, triterpenes, sterols, natural antioxidants, imidazole alkaloids, glucosinolates, and tannins [1,20,29]. Garden cress is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of respiratory diseases, liver disease, antimicrobial, anti-inflammation, jaundice, anti-diabetic, gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual problems, bone fractures, osteoarthritis, spleen diseases, muscular pain, and kidney problems [8,14,17]. El Ghazaliet al [8] reported that in Sudan, garden cress had been used for wound treatment and gastrointestinal disorders.…”

Design, formulation and evaluation of Chasmanthera dependens Hochst and Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn based gel for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities

“…In this study, crude plant extracts were evaluated; as crude plant extracts often have greater potency rather than isolated constituents’ compounds ( Karole et al., 2019 ). In traditional medicine, whole plants or mixtures of plants are used rather than isolated compounds ( Karole et al., 2019 ). Polyherbals exhibit some benefits which are not accessible in single herbal formulations due to synergism.…”

“…Single plants may not attain the desirable therapeutic effects due to the inadequacy of its active phytochemical constituents. However, polyherbals in combined ratios of multiple herbs, may give an enhanced therapeutic effect and decrease the toxicity ( Karole et al., 2019 ). Therefore, adopting lower doses of more than one herb may exhibit improved safety ( Benzie and Wachtel-Galor, 2011 ).…”