Antiinflammatory activity of Muktashukti bhasma.

Muktashukti bhasma (MSB), an Ayurvedic compound, consisting of pearl, Aloe vera and vinegar, inhibited acute and subacute inflammation in albino rats as induced by subplanter injection of carrageenan, histamine, 5-HT, nystatin and subcutaneous implant of cotton pellets. In all the test procedures the antiinflammatory response of 1000 mg/kg MSB was comparable to the response observed with 300 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Oral premedication with MSB delayed castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats, indicating its prostaglandin inhibitory activity. The antiinflammatory activity of the compound is attributed to its ability to cause inhibition of prostaglandins, histamine and 5-HT and also by stabilization of the lysosomal membranes. The antiinflammatory activity of MSB seems one third to half as potent as ASA.