Hemolytic activity is the ability of a substance to cause the lysis (destruction) of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in vitro. This property of a substance is usually tested for in a laboratory by measuring its ability to cause the release of hemoglobin from these cells. Hemolytic activity is usually evaluated by measuring the amount of hemoglobin released from a sample of red blood cells after incubation with the substance. This property of a substance can be used to detect the presence of certain toxins in the body, such as snake venom, and can also be used to determine the effectiveness of certain drugs in treating conditions such as anemia. Hemolytic activity can also be used to detect and measure the amount of antibodies present in a sample of blood.
Joshanda, a polyherbal Unani (Greco-arab) formulation comprising seven herbs is extensively used in the treatment of upper and lower respiratory catarrh. The word “Joshanda” is derived from two words i.e. "Joshanidan” which means boiling and “Andah” which means “prepared by” thus Joshanda meaning, “prepared by boiling” (Vohora, 1986). Decoction of Joshanda mixture is prepared extemporaneously by boiling it for a substantial length of time.