EVALUATION OF ANTIASTHMATIC ACTIVITY OF SEED EXTRACTS OF APIUM GRAVEOLENS LINN

Anti-asthmatic potential is one of them In view of this, the present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-asthmatic potential of the seeds of Apium graveolens Linn. In this study first, extract was prepared using Soxhlet apparatus with continuous heat extraction method in 95% v/v ethanol. The total yield obtained from extraction was found to be 34% w/w. Then Preliminary Phytochemicals Screening was carried out for by using different types of chemical tests. The result of phytochemical screening shows that ethanolic extract contained flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. Then Acute Oral Toxicity study for determination of LD50 was done by Dose Fixation method according to OECD guideline (AOT 425). This was performed in Swiss Albino mice. The observation of this study confirmed that, LD50 of the compound was to be greater than 2000mg/kg for the test compound. Any dose below 2000mg/kg could be used as a dose for animals and evaluation of anti-asthmatic activity was carried out at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight by using milk induced leukocytosis and eosinophilia. Total Leukocyte Count and Differential Leukocyte Count were done by Haemocytometry and Field Staining Method respectively. Statistical analysis carried out by Student t-test, one way ANOVA and followed by Dunnett's test using PRISM Software (Graph Pad PRISM Version 5.03). The ethanolic extract showed significant inhibition against leukocytosis and eosinophilia induced by milk as compared to disease control, among three doses the 100mg dose showed significant * (P < 0.05) effect of EEAG on milk induced Leucocytosis and eosinophilia. Group of mice which were pre-treated with EEAG (200 mg/kg p.o.) demonstrate significant *** (P < 0.05) effect of EEAG on milk induced Eosinophilia.