Scientific validation of the potent anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory activity of the concoction of Corriandrum sativum (Koththamalli) and Cosnium fenetratum (Venivelgeta), a traditional Sri Lankan home remedy
With the intension of value addition to Sri Lankan traditional medicine, a study on investigating immunomodulatory effects of a concoction comprising Coriandrum sativum (Koththamalli) and Coscinium fenestratum (Venivelgeta) was conducted by a team of academics of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology (IBMBB), University of Colombo.
Koththamalli and Venivelgeta have long been used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine to treat cold, fever, runny nose, cough., etc. However, it has not been yet scientifically validated to confirm the immunomodulatory effect of Koththamalli and Venivelgeta. Therefore, this study for the first time scientifically validates the therapeutic claim of Sri Lankan traditional use of the Koththamalli and Venivelgeta. The present study have shown that Koththamalli and Venivelgeta have immunomodulatory effect while keeping the immune system in balance; stimulating it when there’s something to fight and down regulating it when it’s overactive.
The concoction was made according to traditional Sri Lankan medicinal practice, by boiling 30 g each of Koththamalli seeds and Venivelgeta stem in 1920 ml of water in a copper vessel till it reached approximately 240 ml. The freeze-dried concoction was used to assess the immunomodulatory effects by using the human equivalent dose (HED) that is relevant for testing its effects in rats. It was calculated that human equivalent dose is equal to (HED-183 mg/kg). Anti-inflammatory activity of the concoction was assessed by investigating the production of nitric oxide (NO), expression of iNOS enzyme, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by rat peritoneal cells. Immunostimulatory activity of the concoction was determined by assessing the specific haemagglutination antibodies raised against sheep red blood cells. It was observed that the concoction of Koththamalli and Venivelgeta has exhibited potent anti-inflammatory as well as immunostimulatory activities. Together these results scientifically validate the therapeutic use of the concoction of Koththamalli and Venivelgeta in Sri Lankan traditional medicinal system for immunomodulatory effects.