COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF BARBERIS ARISTATA EXTRACT AS SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL APPLICATION IN MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC PHARYNGITIS

Abstract

Author(s): Bhardwaj Atul*, Khera Anoop, Malik Y.S. , Kaushik Mahesh, Sharma Mahendra

Pharynx is a cross road between respiratory tract and alimentary canal and is a frequent site of inflammatory pathologies. Chronic pharyngitis is not a life threatening disorder but surely an incapacitating malady by virtue of its recalcitrant behaviour, frequent antibiotic consumption and compromised social output and quality of life and hence can not be nominated as innocuous disease by any stretch of imagination per se. Berberis aristata DC. (Family - Berberidaceae) or Daru Haridra in Ayurveda is historically and time tested drug used primarily in inflammatory disorders. The usage of Berberis aristata is well documented in non healing wounds, infective disorders of the eye, hepatobiliary stimulation, chronic inflammatory mucosal disorders and skin diseases. Berberine which is chief phytochemical active constituent of Barberis aristata as has got proven action as an anti inflammatory, anti hyperplastic, immunomodulation, enhancement of delayed T cell mediated activity, anti oxidant, anti pyretic, analgesic and cytoprotective actions. Present randomized, single blind, prospective, unicenteral experimental clinical trial intends to compare to effectiveness of Barberis aristata extract as systemic administration and local application (oral rinse) by ramifying clinically diagnosed 120 chronic pharyngitis patients into two trial groups. Paired ‘t’ test was used to evaluate the individual effectiveness of the trial drugs and also to compare the outcome of the two trial drugs administration as an inter group comparison. Statistical analysis conspicuously reflected the superior outcome in favour of systemic usage of Barberis aristata extract than that of oral rinse and the difference may be attributed to the fact that constant salivation had restricted the contact time of the drug on inflamed mucosa to a few minutes only and flushing is the end result of the locally applied drug invariably, but this incapacitation is bypassed by making the drug systemically available. No unwarranted, unpredictable and toxic action was observed in any stage of the clinical study and the usage of Barberis aristata extract may be a potentially adjuvant in the management of chronic pharyngitis with least side effects.