Abstract

In this study the methanolic leaves extract of Physalis angulata Linn. (Solanaceae) (PAL) was investigated for anti-histaminic activity by usingisolated animal smooth muscle models (guinea pig ileum preparation, guinea pig trachea and rat fundus strip), where the plants extract possess inhibitory efficacy against histamine and 5 – HT. Acute toxicity study of the plant extract was also performed to measure the safety prospective. In smooth muscle models, PAL possesses inhibitory efficacy by 100% (1 µg), 133% (2 µg) and 126% (4 µg) in guinea pig ileum preparation (GPIP) against 1 μg histamine; 86% (1 µg), 100% (2 µg) and 106% (4 µg) in guinea pig tracheal chain preparation (GPTCP) against 1 μg histamine; and 50% (1 µg), 75% (2 µg) and 100% (4 µg) in fundus strip preparation (FSP) against 1 μg 5HT. A survey by the National Asthma Campaign found that 60% of the people with moderate asthma and 70% with severe asthma used complementary and alternative medicine to treat their conditions. Herbal medicine is the third most popular choice of both adults (11%) and children (6%) suffering from asthma, although P. angulata is used for the treatment of antihyper glycemic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, diuretic, expectorant and febrifuge. In traditional systems, there was only one claim for asthma. The present study will help the industry to produce herbal drug with less side effect, less cost and more effectiveness in the treatment of asthma.

Key words: Antiasthmatic, methanolic, Physalis angulata.