Determination of SOD Activity of Vayasthapana Drugs Guduchi Kwatha, Punarnava Kwatha and Punarnava in Conjunction with Guduchi Kwatha in healthy Wistar Rats

Abstract

SOD (Superoxide dismutase) belongs to a class of enzymes and stands as the primary defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) are believed to have rasayana (rejuvenating) and vayasthapana (anti-aging) properties in ayurveda.  Several studies show the antioxidant properties of individual drugs in disease-induced conditions but a gap was observed in the study of the antioxidant properties of guduchi and punarnava in normal healthy subjects and the combined effect of punarnava in conjunction with guduchi. To gain insight into the potential effects of these herbal formulations on SOD activity study was planned. The Animal experiment was carried out as per the guidelines of CPCSEA (Committee for Control and Supervision of Animal Experiment) laboratory animals after seeking permission from IAEC, with 32 (24+8 considering 20% dropout) healthy male Wistar rats. Rats are divided into four groups, 8 (6+2) animals in each. Distilled water, guduchi kwath (GK), punarnava kwath (PK), and a combination of guduchi and punarnava kwath (GPK) given orally with help of 2 ml syringe in doses 8.1 ml/kg in different 4 groups respectively as Normal control (NC) group, Trial group of guduchi (TGG), Trial group of punarnava (TGP), Trial group of guduchi and punarnava (TGGP) for 30 days. The blood sample through orbital punctures of all 24 animals was collected for assessment SOD levels before administration of the test drug and after 30 days of intervention. (Cu-Zn) SOD activity was determined by using a simple and rapid method with a spectrophotometer in the laboratory. The TGG (P value 0.001), TGP (P value 0.035), and TGGP (P value 0.010) groups did exhibit statistically significant changes in SOD levels after giving GK, PK, and GPK intervention while the NC (P value 0.335) group did not show a significant difference. Higher SOD activity indicates a more antioxidant defense mechanism, thus GK, PK and GPK can protect against oxidative damage which supports the potential slowing down age-related changes and promoting healthier aging.