Anti-asthmatic effect of Shirishadi compound through nasal spray actuation

BACKGROUND: Increasing morbidity and mortality of Asthma placed it among the most dreaded diseases. Prediction says that asthma along with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease become third leading cause of death by the year 2020. Despite the availability of a wide range of antiasthmatic drugs, incidence of asthma is increasing alarmingly because the relief offered by these drugs is mainly symptomatic and short-lived. Moreover, their side effects are also quite distressing. Hence, a continuous search is needed to identify effective and safe remedies to treat bronchial asthma. AIMS: The present clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Shirishadi Polyherbal compound (given through nebulizer in Aerosol form) in the management of acute and chronic uncomplicated Bronchial Asthma and to propose a novel and safer Ayurvedic treatment modality. METHODS AND MATERIALS: It is a randomized, open, control clinical trial in which the effect of the drug was compared with contemporary treatment and placebo medication (normal saline) in 60 adults with mild to moderate asthma. RESULTS: There was a (t>0.001) found in pulmonary function tests (including FEV1, FVC and PEFR)in the group treated with polyherbal drug. Improvement remain constant in consecutive follow-ups signifies that there is no reverse broncho-constriction after discontinuation of the drug. CONCLUSION: This study signifies that polyherbal drug - Shirishadi compound may prove beneficial future alternative remedy for asthma, and its effect is similar to that of modern contemporary drug when given through nasal route.