title: Phytopharmacological evaluation and anti-asthmatic activity of Ficus religiosa leaves.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss phytopharmacological potential and anti-asthmatic activity of Ficus religiosa (F. religiosa) (L.).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh leaves of F. religiosa were obtained from Vastrapur Lake, Ahmedabad, and dried to obtain powder. Histamine and acetylcholine were used to guinea pigs to establish bronchospasm model. In in vivo study, the aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves (AEFR) at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg was administrated to guinea pigs, and the broncho-protective activity of AEFR was compared with aminophylline at 25 mg/kg. While in in vitro study, and 10 g/mL, 20 g/mL, 30 g/mL of AEFRL was administrated to guinea pigs, respectively, and mast cell stabilizing activity of AEFR was compared with ketotifen at 10 g/mL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the in-vivo model, pre-treatment with aminophylline (25 mg/kg, ip.) could significantly delay the onset of histamine induced pre-convulsive dyspnea, compared with vehicle control. Administration of AEFRL (150 and 300 mg/kg, ip.) also produced significant effect on latency to develop histamine & acetylcholine induced pre-convulsive dyspnea. In the mast cell stabilizing model, AEFRL at 10, 20 and 30 μg/mL could significantly increase the number of intact cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that AEFRL is effective on histamine & acetylcholine induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs. In addition, AEFRL can potentiate the number of intact cells in the mast cell stabilizing model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Phytopharmaceuticals and Natural Products, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: Megha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jasani
authors.forename: Niyati
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: Vimal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D030681:Ficus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000628:Aminophylline; D006632:Histamine; D000109:Acetylcholine; D007665:Ketotifen