Abstract
Anti-allergics, including mast cell stabilizers, are used together with other anti-inflammatory drugs in the management of asthma, so as to prevent the release of pre-formed inflammatory mediators upon allergen exposure. This study was aimed at investigating the mast cell stabilizing and anti-anaphylactic effects of a 70% hydro-ethanolic extract of Scoparia dulcis (SDE) in murine models upon exposure to a known allergen. In vitro cytological and histological studies were conducted on guinea-pigs peritoneal cells and mesenteric tissues, respectively, to establish mast cell stabilization effect of the extract on compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation. The ability of SDE to protect mice against anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80 was also assessed. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was conducted on the extract using standard phyto-analytic procedures. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and phenolic compounds. SDE showed significant inhibition (P ≤ 0.001) against compound 48/80-induced degranulation in both the peritoneal and mesenteric mast cells of guinea-pigs (comparable to sodium cromoglycate and ketotifen fumarate). SDE also delayed the onset of symptoms of anaphylaxis in mice induced with compound 48/80, as well as reduced their mortality rate. The hydro-ethanolic extract of S. dulcis has significant mast cell stabilizing and anti-anaphylactic activities; making it a better adjunct in asthma management. Key words: Anti-allergenic, Mast cell stabilization, Anti-anaphylactic, Compound 48/80, Scoparia dulcis.
Highlights
Asthma, as a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, involves the activation of many inflammatory and structural cells upon allergen exposure
Mast cell stabilizers act by blocking calcium channels and preventing the influx of Ca2+ ions in mast cells, stabilizing the membrane and subsequently inhibiting mast cell degranulation (Vogel, 2002), which is a prerequisite for the release of these inflammatory mediators, following allergen exposure in asthmatic attacks
Studies conducted on medicinal plants reveal that such herbal formulations possess significant target specific biological activities including mast cell stabilization, anti-inflammatory effect and bronchodilation; and as such might be useful in the treatment and management of asthmatic conditions
Summary
As a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, involves the activation of many inflammatory and structural cells (including mast cells) upon allergen exposure This leads to degranulation of these immuno-. Studies conducted on medicinal plants reveal that such herbal formulations possess significant target specific biological activities including mast cell stabilization, anti-inflammatory effect and bronchodilation; and as such might be useful in the treatment and management of asthmatic conditions. One of such herbal plant formulations is Scoparia dulcis, which is known to have muco-suppressant, anti-tussive, bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory properties (Ofori-Amoah and Koffuor, 2015; Koffuor et al, 2014). This study, aimed at investigating the mast cell stabilizing and anti-anaphylactic properties of the hydro-ethanolic extract of S. dulcis using the compound 48/80-induced murine models, as a measure of its anti-allergenic properties
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