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Background: Laghupanchamula denotes combinations of roots of five herbs. However, in Ayurvedic classics besides four common herbs viz. Kantakari, Brihati, Shaliparni, and Prinshniparni, the fifth one is either Gokshura (Laghupanchamula with Gokshura LPG) or Eranda (Laghupanchamula with Eranda LPE), and both formulations have been documented to have shothahara (anti-inflammatory) action. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to compare the anti-inflammatory activity of 50% ethanolic extract of LPG (LPGE) and LPE (LPEE) in rats and safety in mice. Materials and Methods: LPGE and LPEE were given orally, administered either just before or 60 min before experiment on mice and for 7 days to rats. Paw edema was induced by carrageenan (acute) and formalin (sub-acute), whereas granuloma pouch (sub-acute) was induced by turpentine in rats. Results: Both LPGE and LPEE (1.0 g/kg) at 3 h after their administration showed inhibition of formalin-induced paw edema by 46.2% and 44.3% ( P < 0.001) and carrageenan-induced paw edema by 53.9% and 60.4% ( P < 0.001), respectively. After 7 days of treatment, both LPGE and LPEE showed 26.3% ( P < 0.01) and 32.5% ( P < 0.05) inhibition, respectively, against formalin-induced paw edema, and reduced weight of turpentine-induced granuloma pouch by 42.8% and 36.1% ( P < 0.001), and volume of exudates by 31.2% and 36.2% ( P < 0.001), respectively. No acute toxicity was observed in mice even with a 10.0-g/kg dose of both extracts. Conclusion: LPGE and LPEE significantly reduced acute and sub-acute inflammation, and showed effective and similar anti-inflammatory activity. They seemed to be safe, and use of both formulations in the Laghupanchamula for their anti-inflammatory activity is, thus, authenticated.

Hedychium spicatum (Ham-ex-Smith), known as Shati in Ayurvedic classics, is documented for the treatment of cough, hiccough, fever and asthma. The present study includes the evaluation of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the dried rhizome of H. spicatum for anti-histaminic and ulcer-protective activities in guinea pig (GP), anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in rat and acute toxicity in mouse. The extracts were administered orally, daily as suspension, in 1% carboxymethyl cellulose either for 7 days in GP studies or 60 min before or just before experiment in rats and mice. An initial dose-dependent anti-histaminic action of both the extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/ kg) was performed against histamine-induced bronchospasm in GPs. The 200 mg/ kg dose of aqueous and ethanolic extracts was selected both in GP and rat for further studies. GPs treated with aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed gastric ulcer protection against histamine-induced gastric ulcer compared with the control group. Both the extracts also showed an anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats from 1 h onwards, and this was maximum at 3 h. Analgesic effect was determined by using hot plate and tail flick tests in rats, and both the extracts at 200 mg/kg showed a significant increase in the latent period from 30 min onwards till 120 min of their study period. Both the extracts did not show any toxic effect like increased motor activity, salivation, clonic convulsion, coma and death in mice even at the 2000 mg/kg dose (nearly 10 times of the optimal effective dose), indicating the safety of the extracts. The result confirms the indigenous use of this plant in respiratory disorders.

A group of five roots of small plants i.e., Shalaparni, Prshniparni, Brhati, Kantakari and Gokshura or Eranda is known as Laghupanchamula under Mishraka Varga (group of drugs). It is used as such or with Mahat Panchamula i.e., Bilva, Gambhari, Shyonaka, Agnimantha and Patala, constituting Dashamula, a well recognized and popular Ayurvedic preparation or as an ingredient of different dosage forms. Classical texts of Ayurveda differs regarding components of this Mishraka Varga. Four out of five drugs of Laghupanchamula are similar in all the Ayurvedic texts, but either Gokshura or Eranda is considered as the fifth drug. So a comphrenesive review of Veda, Samhita Grantha, Cikitsa Grantha and Nighantus, with regards to synonyms, contents, Guna- Karma, origin of variation in contents and possible thought behind two kinds of Laghupanchamula, to throw light for rational use of either Eranda or Gokshura under Laghupanchamula was conducted. It was observed that both the traditions were in practice however Acharya Kashyapa and Ravigupta were in view of Eranda as a fifth drug of Laghupanchamula where as Acharya Charaka, Sushruta, Vagabhatta, Yogaratnakara and Chakradatta are in favour of Gokshura. Infact, the variation in content depends on the need i.e Dosha, Dushya and Vyadhi.