INTRODUCTION:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems. the obstruction generally is usually progressive and irreversible and it may be associated with air-way hyperactivity. Progressive means the disease gets worse over time. Other names for COPD are Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD), Chronic Air-Flow Limitation (CAL) or Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (CLRD). It is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis. In people with COPD, the lungs can get damaged or clogged with phlegm. Smoking and air pollution are the most common causes of COPD. People with COPD are at higher risk of other health problems. COPD is not curable but symptoms can improve if one avoids smoking and exposure to air pollution and gets vaccines to prevent infections.^{15, 17} Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, causing 3.23

million deaths in 2019. Nearly 90% of COPD deaths in those under 70 years of age occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Tobacco smoking accounts for over 70% of COPD cases in high-income countries. In LMIC tobacco smoking accounts for 30–40% of COPD cases, and household air pollution is a major risk factor.^{1, 14, 15,19}

Types of COPD:

There are two major types are given below ^1,7

1) Chronic bronchitis.

2) Emphysema.

Fig:-1 Comparison of Healthy and COPD-Affected Lungs

1. Chronic bronchitis^1,19:

In chronic bronchitis, there is enlargement of mucous glands, increase in mucus production and thickening of bronchial wall. There is chronic productive cough with excessive sputum production. Patients experience dyspnoea, bronchospasm and frequent respiratory tract infections. In severe cases, irreversible narrowing of the airways occurs which leads to cyanosis, hypoxia and hypercapnia. It is non-curable disease.

2. Emphysema^:^1,19

Emphysema is characterized by enlargement of air spaces, destruction of lung parenchyma, loss of lung elasticity and closure of small airways.It is a lung disease that results from damage to the walls of the alveoli in your lungs. A blockage (obstruction) may develop, which traps air inside your lungs. If you have too much air trapped in your lungs, your chest may appear fuller or have a barrel-chested appearance. With fewer alveoli, less oxygen moves into your bloodstream. Dyspnoea is a prominent symptom along with productive cough, wheezing and recurrent respiratory infection. Patients hyperventilate to maintain oxygen levels in the blood. Some reports also suggest that emphysema may result due to hereditary deficiency of alpha-antitrypsin.

Fig:-2 Classification of COPD and Its Related Conditions

Pathophysiology of COPD:-

Fig:-3 "Pathophysiological Progression of COPD"

The pathophysiology of COPD thus includes the narrowing of the airways, damage to the lungs and other supportive tissues, hyperactivity of the lungs, dysfunction of the cilia in the airways and constant damage of the alveolar walls. As the COPD condition progresses, patients of COPD manifest wheezing, productive cough, difficulty in clearing alveoli and shortness of breath (dyspnea). As the pressure in the chest increases, the patient faces more difficulty during exhaling air, rather than inhalation. ^{[1] [17] [19]}

Fig:-4 Risk Factors of COPD

STAGES OF COPD:^1,19

STAGES	CHARACTERISTICS
0	Characteristics Normal spirometry, chronic symptoms of cough, sputum production
I (Mild COPD)	FEV1/FVC<70%, FEV1? 80% predicted, May or may not have chronic symptoms of cough, sputum production
II (Moderate COPD)	FEV1/FVC<70%, FEV1 between 30% and 80% predicted, May or may not have chronic symptoms of cough, sputum production
III (Severe COPD)	FEV1/FVC<70%, FEV1 <30% predicted or FEV1 < 50%, predicted plus respiratory failure or clinical signs of right heart failure

Procedure:^16,20

1. All the ingredients were sifted through sieve#60.

2. Sucrose was milled and sifted through #80.

3. Dried extract of drugs was triturated withlactose and starch using a mortal and pestle.

4. Above blend was geometrically mixed with all ingredients in step 1.

5. The powder was blended thoroughly.

6. The powder blend was sifted and passed through sieve #100 in the final step.

Material: -

1. Adhatoda vasika

2. Verbascum Thapsus

3. Pipper nigrum

4. Zingiber officinale

5. Linum ussitaissimumtia

6. Curcuma longa

1) Adhatoda vasika:

Fig:- Adhatoda vasika

Chemical Constituents^{2, 11, 18}

The drug Adhatoda vasika comprises the fresh or dried leaves of the plant. Leaves contain an alkaloid vasicine, and an essential oil. The chief use of Adhatoda vasica is as an expectorant; it is given in the form of juice, syrup or decoction. It softens the thick sputum, facilitates it’s coming out and thus brings about quick relief in bronchitis.

Dosage: - 0.625gm

2) Verbascum Thapsus: -

Fig:-Verbascum Thapsus

Chemical Constituents:³

The composition of the essential oil obtained from the dried flowering aerial parts of Verbascum thapsus L. was analysed by GC and GC-MS. Ninety-two components were identified in the essential oil of V. thapsus. The major components of the essential oil were 6, 10, 14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone (14.3 %) and (E)-phytol (9.3 %).

Traditional Use:^4-^{6, 11}

Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) is a medicinal plant has been used to treat pulmonary problems, inflammatory diseases, asthma, spasmodic coughs, diarrhoea and migraine headaches.

Dosage: - 3 gm

3) Pipper nigrum: -

Fig;- Pipper nigrum

Chemical Constituents:

Piperine is the major and active constituent of long pepper (Piper nigrum). The piperine content is 3-5% (on dry weight basis) in P. nigrum

Traditional uses:^{7, 11} Dried unripe fruits are used as an alternative to tonic. Decoction of immature fruits and roots is used in chronic bronchitis, cough and cold. P. Nigrum L. has been used in traditional remedies as well as in the Ayurvedic system of medicine against various disorders.

Dosage: - 5 gm

4) Zingiber officinale:

Fig:- Zingiber officinale

Chemical constituent:^8,²¹ Ginger is abundant in active constituents, such as phenolic and terpene compounds. The phenolic compounds in ginger are mainly gingerols, shogaols, and paradols. In fresh ginger, gingerols are the major polyphenols, such as 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol.

Chromatographic analysis, antioxidant anti-inflammatory and xanthine oxides inhibitory activities of ginger extract and its reference compounds

Traditionaluses:^9-11 sputum of pharyngitis is relieved by chewing ginger. Charcoaled ginger powder with honey is effector in asthmatic bronchitis. Licking ginger juice with honey relieves hiccoughs and cold. It can be used for treating upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis. The traditional use of ginger in respiratory diseases. The anti-inflammatory effects of both ginger extracts are comparable with the glucocorticosteroid methylprednisolone, a drug often used in the treatment of human allergic asthma.

Dosage: - 0.75-1.5 gm

5) Linum ussitaissimumtia:

Fig; Linum Ussitaissimumtia

Chemical Constituent:

Seeds have 37 to 44% oil. White seeds have more oil. Fresh oil is more viscous and colourless but in fresh air it gets solidified.

Traditional uses:¹¹

The decoction of the seeds of at as is useful in cough, pleuritis, pneumonia and whooping cough in children. It works as an expectorant

Dosage: 2 gm

6) Curcuma longa

Fig;-Curcuma longa

Chemical constituent:^{11, 12}

The active constituents of turmeric are the flavonoid Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) and various volatile oils, including tumerone, Atlantone and zingiberone. Other constituents include sugars, proteins, and resins. The best-researched active constituent is curcumin, which comprises 0.3–5.4 % of raw turmeric.

Traditional uses:

That are used for chronic inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive airways disease (COPD), asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dosage¹³: - 1-3gm

Toxicity:-it is nontoxic substance²⁰

CONCLUSION: This study focuses on the formulation of a herbal syrup using Adhatoda vasica, Verbascum thapsus, Piper nigrum Linn, Zingiber officinale, Linum usitatissimum, and Curcuma longa to help manage COPD symptoms. These medicinal plants have beneficial properties, including expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilator effects, which may aid in clearing mucus, easing breathing, and reducing persistent cough. Although COPD has no cure, this natural formulation has the potential to act as a complementary remedy, enhancing patient comfort and overall respiratory health.

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Received on 05.03.2025 Revised on 24.04.2025

Accepted on 29.05.2025 Published on 19.06.2025

Available online from June 23, 2025

Asian J. Research Chem.2025; 18(3):174-178.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-4150.2025.00028

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