Evaluation of the Antiasthmatic Activity of in Animal Models.

Stapf ex Haines () fruit is used traditionally in the treatment of respiratory illnesses including asthma. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting its antiasthmatic activity. The current study was conducted to evaluate its antiasthmatic effects using and approaches. The methanolic crude extract of fruit (Co.Cr.) was used and antiasthmatic activity was carried out using ovalbumin- (OVA-) sensitized and OVA-challenged BALB/c mice. In bronchorelaxant activity of crude extract, aqueous and n-hexane fractions of were carried out on isolated rat tracheal strips. Co.Cr. (200 and 400 mg/kg) attenuated ovalbumin-induced changes in lung histochemistry with % decrease in peribronchial inflammation of 14.1 ± 0.21 and 65.8 ± 0.22 and % decrease in total inflammatory cell count of 35.7 ± 2.80 and 53.3 ± 2.30 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Co.Cr., aqueous, and n-hexane fraction of attenuated the precontractions induced by high K (80 mM) and carbachol (1 M), respectively. In conclusion, the results showed that possesses antiasthmatic activity via relaxant effect on bronchial smooth muscle which is mediated through calcium channel blockade and antimuscarinic activity. This study provides scientific evidence of the traditional use of in the management of allergic asthma.