Herbal medicines having a mesmerizing power in the world(1). Today the use of traditional herbal medicine is increasing day by day throughout the world. According to the concept of WHO about 80% of the people in low and middle income countries follow the herbal medicine for maintaining their primary health care needs. In high wages countries herbal drug utilizes become increasing popularly up to 65% of the population(2). The herbal medicine have wide and respective history. In earth there is about 75000 plants are identified, but only few of them have been scientifically studied(3). About 5000 years back in china the first record of herbal medicine has been documented. In India, the traditional herbal medicine remain an essential component of practice over more than 5000 years back(4). India have a unique quality of geographical and climatic factors, so have rich area of medicinal plants since the Vedic period(5).According to the current research, the use of herbal medicines is increasing throughout the world than that of the conventional drugs by two to three times(6).
Herbal Medicine are plants materials or herbals, involves the use of whole plants or part of plants to treat injuries or illness .Otherwise Herbal drugs are use of therapeutic herbs to prevent and treat diseases and ailment or to support health and healing. Herbal drug is an important active principle in traditional medicine and a common ingredient in Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, Naturopathic and other medicinal systems. Herbs are usually referred to more safe and effective since it belongs the natural resources. Hence there is rapid increase in herbal manufactures because an incline in the toxicity and side effects of allopathic medicines(7).
Advantages of Herbal medicines(8)
‘ Easily available
‘ High potency and efficiency
‘ Low cost
‘ Fewer side effects
‘ Enhanced tolerance
The Indian medicinal system involves mainly allopathic, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Folk (tribal),Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and Yoga system of medicine. Among these systems, Ayurveda is most accepted, developed and widely practised in India. About five thousand year back asyurveda system originated in india. The major purpose of Ayurveda is not only to treat the diseases or disorders but also to promote the health care of peoples(9). There is a dramatic comeback of herbal medicines in Society, the main advantage of herbal medicines are less Side effects than that of synthetic medicines. Hence there is increasing the number of patients and are visiting alternative medicine clinics(10).
Today, there is widespread interest and acceptance in drugs derived from medicinal plants. This interest is mainly based upon green medicine is safe, easily available and dependable compared with synthetic drugs. The less availability of synthetic drugs, drive the invention of new pharmacotherapeutic agents from medicinal plants. So to promote the use of herbal medicine, it is essential to intensify the study of medicinal plants that find place in society(11). These herbal drugs are considered as an arrow to quarrel against various diseases in birds, humans and animals, without having any side effects. Under the prevailing circumstances further investigations into the concept of polyherbal formulations should be undertaken . In recent years, there has been a great demand for plant derived products in developed countries. The literatures have reported that the usage of the traditional medicines brought a great benefit in skin related diseases. Hence the plant derived active constituents from the natural source need to be distinguish and formulated in to acceptable dosage form for the treatment of various anti-inflammatory activities. so in the present work,we formulated a polyherbal transdermal patches with better anti- inflammatory as well as anti-oxidant activity , can be used for skin infections . Sida rhombifolia(Family-Malvaceae) is well known for its medicinal properties. Its root possess broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory activities(12). Alpinia galanga (Family-Zingiberaceae) is known as Blue ginger possess potent anti-inflammatory activity. Tamarindus indica(Family-Fabaceae)(13) is Tamarind tree having ani-inflammatory as well as anti microbial activities(14). Hence, an effort has been made to initiate and investigate the possible antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the formulated transdermal patches made from the methanolic extracts of the above four herbs. From this investigaton and the results ,this polyherbal forulation posses significant anti- inflammatory as well as anti-oxidant activity