IN VITRO & IN VIVO ANTIASTHMATIC STUDIES ON THE FLORAL EXTRACTS OF GOMPHRENA SERRATA L

The present study has been conducted to evaluate the antiasthmatic potential from the inflorescence extracts of Gomphrena serrata. to validate its traditional use. The antiasthmatic activity of hydroalcoholic and acetone extracts was studied by two models histamine and acetyl choline induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs and histamine and acetyl choline induced contraction on isolated guinea pig ileum. The preconvulsive time at a dose of 400mg/Kg in guinea pigs and inhibition of contractions on guinea pig ileum at a concentration of 0.5mg were investigated and compared with the control groups. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, steroids, triterpenoids. The extracts have significantly reduced the bronchospasm induced by histamine and acetylcholine, as well as the contractions of ileum. Therefore the present study concludes that the hydroalcoholic and acetone extracts of Gomphrena serrata exhibited antiasthmatic activity which may be due to phytochemical substances probably causing suppression of antibody production or inhibition of antigen induced histamine and acetylcholine. Key words: Gomphrena serrata, asthma, bronchospasm, histamine, acetylcholine