Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the respiratory system characterised by airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and eosinophilic infiltration. Kanakasava, a classical Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation indicated in Hikka and Shwasa Roga, possesses potential therapeutic activity in respiratory disorders. The present study explores a novel drug delivery approach by administering Kanakasava nebuliser for targeted pulmonary delivery.
Aim:
To evaluate the anti-asthmatic effect of Kanakasava nebuliser in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model in Wistar rats.
Methods:
Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n=6): Normal Control (NC), Disease Control (DC), Reference Standard (salbutamol nebulization), and Test Drug (Kanakasava nebuliser). Asthma was induced by intraperitoneal sensitisation with ovalbumin (1 mg/rat) and aluminium hydroxide (20 mg/rat) on days 0, 7, and 14. Nebulization therapy was administered from day 15 to day 20. Haematological parameters, including total white blood cell (WBC) count and eosinophil count, were assessed before and after treatment. Lung tissues were subjected to histopathological examination. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post-hoc test.
Results:
Disease control animals showed elevated WBC and eosinophil counts, indicating allergic airway inflammation. Treatment with Kanakasava nebulization significantly reduced WBC levels (mean difference: 2470.7) and eosinophil counts (mean difference: 6.17) compared with the disease control group (p < 0.01). However, the reduction was comparatively lower than the reference standard salbutamol group (WBC mean difference: 4968.0; eosinophil mean difference: 7.33). Histopathological examination of lung tissue in the test group revealed mild interstitial oedema with reduced inflammatory infiltration compared with disease control animals. No mortality or significant behavioural changes were observed during the study, indicating the safety of the formulation.
Conclusion:
Kanakasava nebuliser demonstrated significant anti-asthmatic activity in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rats by reducing haematological parameters and improving lung histopathology. Although slightly less effective than salbutamol, the formulation showed promising therapeutic potential as an Ayurvedic inhalation therapy.

Key words: KEY WORDS – Kanakasava, Nebulization, Asthma, Ovalbumin, Wistar rats, Ayurvedic nebulizing fluid