title: Investigation of anti-asthmatic potential of dried fruits of Vitis vinifera L. in animal model of bronchial asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fruits of Vitis vinifera L., commonly known as grapes, are largely consumed worldwide because of their high nutritional and medicinal benefits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated effects of V. vinifera fruits in ovalbumin-induced animal model of bronchial asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male wistar rats (except group 1) were sensitized with allergen (ovalbumin, 40 mg/rat + aluminum hydroxide, 2 mg/rat). Groups of sensitized animals were treated orally with either vehicle (0.4 mL/kg), standard dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg) or alcoholic extract of V. vinifera dried fruits (31 and 42.5 mg/kg) from day 1 to 28 (n = 6 for all groups). Inflammatory markers including cell counts, cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor, immunoglobulin E (IgE), leukotrienes and nitrite levels in both blood/serum and bronchoalveolar fluid were analysed. Breathing rate and tidal volume as lung function parameters were examined by spirometer. Lung tissues were studied for histamine content and histopathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of sensitized animals with dexamethasone or two doses of V. vinifera fruits extract inhibited recruitment of inflammatory cytokines, IgE, nitrites and circulating cells particularly eosinophils in blood/serum and bronchoalveolar fluid (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Dexamethasone and V. vinifera fruits extract treatment also normalized lung functions and histamine levels compared to ovalbumin-sensitized controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). Moreover, both drugs exhibited protection against airway inflammation in lung histology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of study demonstrate the effectiveness of V. vinifera fruits in allergic asthma possibly related to its ability to inhibit cellular response and subsequent production of inflammatory cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi, 110062 India.
authors.forename: Poonam
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4118-8180
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi, 110062 India.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi, 110062 India.
authors.forename: Abul Kalam
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Najmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi, 110062 India.
authors.forename: Varisha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anjum
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi, 110062 India.
authors.forename: Sayeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
keywords: Allergen; Bronchial asthma; Histamine; Lung function; Vitis vinifera