Preparation and pharmacological evaluation of a polyherbal preparation POL 6 on alcohol deprivation effects following voluntary alcohol consumption in rats

Abstract

Alcohol abuse is a major problem worldwide and it affects people economy and health. There is relapse in alcohol intake due to alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol deprivation effects are the severe symptoms that appear after 24-48 hrs after last alcohol ingestion. The present investigation was designed to explore the protective effect of a prepared polyherbal preparation named POL-6 in ethanol deprivation effects in Wistar rats. POL-6 was prepared by mixing the dried extracts of six plants Bacopa monnieri, Hypericum perforatum, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera, Camellia sinesis and Ocimum sanctum in the proportion 2:1:2:2:1:2 respectively. The ratios of the plants were selected from the literature. POL-6 was standardized according to the Indian Pharmacopeia standardization parameters. Presence of major phytoconstituents in POL-6 was determined by qualitative phytochemical screening and then POL-6 was further subjected to the phytochemical profiling through HPLC, LC-MS and HPTLC. In-vitro antioxidant activities of POL-6 were tested through DPPH and nitric oxide assays. Acute toxicity and sub-acute toxicity study of POL-6 was conducted as per OECD 423 guidelines. The effect of POL-6 on the alcohol deprivation effects was tested using two-bottle choice drinking paradigm model giving animals free choice newline