Abstract
Zanthoxylum armatum DC. is used in traditional medicines as a therapy of many diseases including bronchial asthma. The antiasthmatic effect of Zanthoxylum armatum essential oil was studied using histamine aerosol-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs and ovalbumin-sensitized albino mice. Absolute eosinophils count in blood, total immunoglobulin E, eosinophils and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and histopathology of lung tissue were investigated. Treatment with Zanthoxylum armatum essential oil significantly increased the time of preconvulsive dyspnoea in histamine-induced guinea pigs. Oral treatment of Zanthoxylum armatum oil showed significant decrease in absolute eosinophils count, serum level of immunoglobulin E and the number of eosinophils, neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histopathological examination of lungs showed that essential oil rescinded bronchial asthma. Results obtained in the present investigation provided evidence that essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum caused bronchorelaxation and showed antiasthmatic properties. The traditional use of Zanthoxylum armatum essential oil against asthma could be attributed to the bronchorelaxation and antiasthmatic activity.
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