The main objective of the present investigation is to evaluate the antiinflammatory & antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Bharangyadi polyherbal compound on albino rats. Bharangyadi compound consist of three herbal drugs namely- Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Sati (Hedychium spicatum) & Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum).In Ayurveda (ancient Indian system of medicine) all these herbs alone or in combination with other herbs are commonly used in the managmant of bronchial asthma.
In the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test for acute inflammation, the extract of Bharangyadi compound in doses of 50mg, 200 mg and 500 mg/kg body weight showed 78.75% and 79% and 81.75% inhibition of edema, respectively, at the end of 4h which is comparable to that of standard ( endomethacin) i.e. 92%. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extract was assayed against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27893, Salmonella typhi MTCC 3216, Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 7966, Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Shigella flexineri ATCC 12022, Bacillus subtilis, Plesiomonas shigelloides ATCC 14029 (Gram-negative), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25323 (Gram-positive) and Candida albicans ATCC 90028,Candida krusei ATCC 6258, Candida tropicalis ATCC 750, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 using the disc diffusion and micro dilution techniques. The result showed the MIC of 12.5 mg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida species and 10-20 mg/ml against remaining bacteria tested. The study revealed that the extracts possessed antibacterial and antifungal activity in a dose dependent manner. Thus use of this herbal preparation in the treatment of respiratory tract infections may be justified.