Abstract

Many of the currently available allopathic cough suppressants containing ingredients like codeine, ephedrine, bromhexine and guaefenesin are known for their side effects such as sedation, constipation, drowsiness and addiction. This makes their use limited and inadequate. Ayurvedic medicines for the most part are non-toxic and can be used by patients and healthy individuals for cure and prevention of diseases. Test drug, an Ayurvedic sugar free cough syrup is unique combination of herbal and mineral ingredients. Individual ingredients are well reported for their anti-tussive and expectorant effect but no scientific evidences were available for combination of them. The present study was carried out to evaluate acute toxicity and anti-tussive activity of test drug using sulphur dioxide induced cough model in albino mice. Acute toxicity study was carried out as per OECD guideline 423. Efficacy of test drug was evaluated at two different dose levels, TED (1.3 mL/kg) and TED×2 (2.6 mL/kg). During acute toxicity study, animals did not manifest any signs of toxicity and mortality. Test drug showed 38.62% and 53.47% inhibition in frequency of cough in TED and TED×2 groups respectively. TED×2 showed more significant anti-tussive activity with respect to TED. From the available results, it can be concluded that test drug is safe and effective in the management of common cough.