title: Mast cell stabilizing and antiallergic activity of Abrus precatorius in the management of asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate effects of ethanol extract of Abrus precatorius leaves (EAPL) on egg albumin induced mast cell degranulation in mice and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In present study ethanol extract of Abrus precatorius leaves (EAPL) at doses of 100, 125, 150 mg/kg i.p were evaluated for preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity studies and egg albumin induced mast cell degranulation in mice and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of present investigation showed that the LD(50) of EAPL is more than 1 300 mg/kg. EAPL (100-150 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly protect egg albumin induced degranulation of mast cell and inhibit area of leakage of dye in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. Phytochemical studies observed presence of saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids, and glycosides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion EAPL possesses anti asthmatic potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, S.V.P.M's College of Pharmacy, Malegaon (bk), Baramati-413115, Maharashtra, India. dnyaneshtaur@gmail.com
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Taur
authors.forename: R Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Patil
mesh_terms: D029912:Abrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000418:Albumins / Q000276:immunology; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts