Abstract
The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the bronchodilating effect and bronchial hyperreactivity of alcoholic extract of Taxus baccata Linn. (AET) leaves in experimental animals. Bronchodilator activity of AET was studied on the histamine and acetylcholine aerosol induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs and bronchial hyperreactivity was studied on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the egg albumin sensitized guinea pigs and by histopathological studies. In vitro mast cell stabilizing activity was studied using compound 48/80 as a degranulating agent. Treatment with AET (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o., for 7 days) showed significant protection against histamine and acetylcholine aerosol induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs. Significant decrease in the total leukocyte and differential leukocyte count in the BALF of the egg albumin sensitized guinea pigs was observed by administration of AET (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o., for 15 days). AET dose dependently protected the mast cell disruption induced by compound 48/80. These results suggest that AET not only has bronchodilating activity but also decreases bronchial hyperreactivity by decreasing the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the airway and inhibiting the release of histamine like mediators from the mast cell by stabilizing it.
Highlights
Asthma is one of the most common disorders encountered in clinical medicine in both children and adults, characterized by inflammation of the airway that is central to airway dysfunction
Values are expressed as mean ± SEM for six guinea pigs in each group, *P < 0.001 when compared with control group; @P < 0.05, #P < 0.01, $P < 0.001 when compared with sensitized group, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF): Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, TLC: Total leukocyte count a b histamine, triggered by exposure to allergens that directly cause acute bronchoconstriction.[22,23]
Histamine and acetylcholine were used as spasmogens in the form of aerosol to cause immediate bronchoconstriction in the form of preconvulsion dyspnea (PCD) in guinea pigs
Summary
Asthma is one of the most common disorders encountered in clinical medicine in both children and adults, characterized by inflammation of the airway that is central to airway dysfunction. Glucocorticosteroids are the only drugs currently available that effectively reduce airway inflammation in asthma.[4]. There is high prevalence of usage of complementary and alternative medicines for treatment of this disease.[5] Ayurveda, an ancient system of Indian medicine, has recommended a number of drugs from indigenous plant sources for the treatment of bronchial asthma and allergic disorders.[6] Taxus baccata Linn. Many Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe decoction of leaves of T. baccata for the treatment of asthma. No scientific studies have been carried out to investigate anti-asthmatic effect in the form of bronchorelaxation and inhibition of bronchial hyperreactivity of leaves of T. baccata. The anti-asthmatic activity of AET was evaluated in experimental animals by using various in vivo and in vitro models
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
