EVALUATION OF ANTIASTHMATIC ACTIVITY OF ROOT EXTRACTS OF BYTTENERIA HERBACEAE

Bytteneria herbaceae is a profusely branched prostrate herb. Traditionally different part of this plant is used for the treatment of cholera, diarrhoea and asthma, but lack scientific evidence. Hence, in the present study aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Bytteneria herbaceae was evaluated for antiasthmatic activity in rats by studying its effect on mast cell stabilization and isolated goat tracheal chain preparation. In mast cell stabilizing activity male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing 150-200 g were divided into eight groups of six animals each. Except group I (Control), all animals were sensitized by 0.5ml of sheep serum and 0.5ml of triple antigen containing diphtheria, tetanous toxoid and B.pertusis organisms. Group I and II rats received vehicle, group III ? VI rats were treated with aqueous and ethanolic root extracts of Bytteneria herbaceae 200 and 400 mg/kg.b.w.p.o., respectively, group VII and VIII rats were treated with standard prednisolone and disodium chromoglycate 10 and 50 mg/kg i.p. respectively. Treatment was given once daily single dose for 14 days. On 14th day intestinal mesentery was isolated under anesthesia and stained with 0.1% toluidine blue. Numbers of intact and degranulated mast cells were counted under high‐power microscope (45X). Antagonism of extracts was recorded against histamine induced contraction on goat tracheal chain preparation. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed by one way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Bytteneria herbaceae root significantly (P<0.001) reduced the mast cell disruption and increased intact mast cells dose dependently. Ethanolic extract was significantly (P<0.001) more potent than aqueous extract. In isolated goat tracheal chain preparation extracts of Bytteneria herbaceae antagonized the histamine induced contraction irreversibly and was dose dependent. Antiasthmatic activity of Bytteneria herbaceae was due to the presence of active constituents such as flavonoids, steroids, carbohydrates and tannins. Results of the study substantiate traditional use of Bytteneria herbaceae in the treatment of asthma. Keywords: Bytteneria herbaceae; Antiasthmatic; Prednisolone; Mast cell; Sodium cromoglycate; Antihistaminic.