This study aimed to develop and evaluate polyherbal chewable lozenges for the treatment of mouth and throat infections, integrating traditional herbal knowledge with modern pharmaceutical and computational techniques. The lozenges were formulated using Karpuravalli (Coleus amboinicus), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), and Clove Oil (Syzygium aromaticum), and their quality, efficacy, and therapeutic potential were rigorously assessed. Quality control tests, including weight variation, friability, moisture content, and dissolution, confirmed the lozenges' compliance with pharmaceutical standards. The dissolution profile demonstrated a cumulative drug release of 91.26% within 25 minutes, indicating efficient bioavailability. Antimicrobial activity tests revealed significant efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (15 mm inhibition zone) and Escherichia coli (25 mm inhibition zone), with E. coli showing greater susceptibility. Molecular docking studies identified Rosmarinic Acid and Beta-Sitosterol as key bioactive compounds, exhibiting strong binding affinities with bacterial enzymes such as Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) and UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine Enolpyruvyl Transferase, suggesting potential inhibitory mechanisms. Pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness evaluations using Lipinski’s Rule of Five and Swiss ADME highlighted favorable properties for compounds like Carvacrol and Gingerol, while bioactivity scores indicated diverse interaction potentials. The study underscores the lozenges' adherence to quality standards and their potential as effective antimicrobial agents. However, further optimization of formulation strategies, mechanistic studies, and clinical trials are necessary to validate their therapeutic efficacy and safety. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of polyherbal formulations in modern therapeutics, offering a natural and scientifically validated alternative for managing oral and throat infections.
Khan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.