Evaluation of antiasthmatic activity of a polyherbal formulation containing four plant extracts.

Objective: We evaluated the antiasthmatic potential of a polyherbal formulation using several experimental models.Materials & Methods: Adult Wistar albino rats were used for mast cell stabilization protocol. Acetylcholine and histamine-induced bronchospasm were conducted on guinea pigs.Results: The results of the acetylcholine and histamine-induced bronchospasm paradigms demonstrate bronchospasmolytic activity of polyherbal formulation (300 mg/kg, p.o.). The spasmolytic effect was characterized by prolongation of onset of bronchospasm and reduction of asphyxia as compared to control group (P < 0.01). In the mast cell stabilization paradigm, compound 48/80 treatment produced 76% of mast cell degranulation. Polyherbal formulation (1, 10, and 100 μg/ml) showed dose-dependent significant reduction in mast cell degranulation (P < 0.01) as compared to the compound 48/80-treated animals. The probable mechanism for the antiasthmatic action of the polyherbal formulation could be antihistaminic, anticholinergic and mast cell membrane stabilization. The LD50 of polyherbal formulation was 2262.7 mg/kg, p.o.Conclusion: The results of our study, for the first time, show that the polyherbal formulation possesses antihistaminic, anticholinergic and mast cell stabilizing properties and therefore can be a candidate for the antiasthmatic treatment. Future research should focus on the molecular mechanism of responsible constituent for antiasthmatic action.