title: Experimental evaluation of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet potential of Dashamoola.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dashamoola, in the form of arishta and kwath, is a commonly used classical Ayurvedic multi-ingredient formulation for management of pain, arthritis and inflammatory disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activity of Dashamoola and its combination with aspirin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar albino rats (180-200 g) and Swiss albino mice (20-25 g) of either sex were divided randomly into five groups: Distilled water, aspirin (500mg/kg in rats; 722.2 mg/kg in mice), Dashamoolarishta (1.8 mL/kg in rats; 2.5 mL/kg in mice) and Dashamoolarishta with aspirin. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured by change in paw volume in carrageenan-induced inflammation, protein content in model of peritonitis and granuloma weight in cotton pellet granuloma. Analgesic effect was evaluated by counting number of writhes in writhing model. Maximum platelet aggregation and percentage inhibition of ADP and collagen-induced platelet aggregation were estimated in vitro. Statistical analysis was done using one way ANOVA (post hoc Tukey's test) and P < 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dashamoolarishta and its combination with aspirin showed significantly (P < 0.01) less number of writhes. It showed significant (P < 0.001) anti-inflammatory activity by paw edema reduction in rats, decrease in proteins in peritoneal fluid (P < 0.001) and decrease in granuloma weight (P < 0.05) as compared to respective vehicle control groups. Dashamoola kwath alone and in combination with aspirin inhibited maximum platelet aggregation and percent inhibition of platelets as compared to vehicle (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dashamoola formulation alone and its combination with aspirin showed comparable anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-platelet effects to aspirin.
authors: Department of Medical Services, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., Borivali East, Mumbai, India.
authors: Reshma R
authors: RR
authors: Parekar
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seth GSMC and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors: Somesh S
authors: SS
authors: Bolegave
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seth GSMC and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors: Padmaja A
authors: PA
authors: Marathe
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seth GSMC and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors: Nirmala N
authors: NN
authors: Rege
keywords: Aspirin; carrageenan; cotton pellet granuloma; peritonitis; platelet aggregation; writhing