Studies on extracts of Elaeocarpus sphaericus fruits on in vitro rat mast cells.

Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Syn: E. ganitrus), in Ayurvedic Medicine commonly known as Rudraksha is known to have wide range of pharmacological activities. We reported previously the protective action of E. sphaericus in experimental bronchial asthma. The present study on rat mesenteric mast cell was undertaken to investigate the effect of E. sphaericus fruits on autacoid release. The petroleum ether (PE), benzene (BE), chloroform (CE), acetone (AE) and ethanol (EE) extracts of E. sphaericus fruits were found to have mast-cell stabilizing activity, substantiating the efficacy of E. sphaericus against bronchial asthma.