title: Antihistaminic and antiallergic actions of extracts of Solanum nigrum berries: possible role in the treatment of asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Berries of the plant Solanum nigrum Linn (Solanaceae) are used for the treatment of asthma in folk medicine and ancient books.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate potential of the plant berries in the treatment of asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of S. nigrum berries (50, 100 and 200mg/kg, i.p.) were screened for the treatment of asthma by the various methods viz. effect on clonidine and haloperidol induced catalepsy, milk-induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia, mast cell stabilizing activity in mice and studies on smooth muscle preparation of guinea pig ileum (in vitro). Active petroleum ether extract was standardized by HPTLC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The petroleum ether extract of S. nigrum berries inhibited clonidine-induced catalepsy significantly but not haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Petroleum ether extract significantly inhibited increased leukocyte and eosinophil count due to milk allergen and showed maximum protection against mast cell degranulation by clonidine. Petroleum ether extract resisted contraction induced by histamine better than other extracts. All the results are dose dependant. Active petroleum ether extract showed presence of antiasthmatic compound, β-sitosterol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The petroleum ether extract of S. nigrum berries can inhibits parameters linked to the asthma disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Pravara Rural College of Pharmacy, Loni-413736, Maharashtra, India. nirmalsunil@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nirmal
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bhawar
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pattan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D002375:Catalepsy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D003000:Clonidine; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005638:Fruit; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006220:Haloperidol; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008892:Milk; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D032324:Solanum nigrum
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D006220:Haloperidol; D003000:Clonidine