Phytochemical analysis of Caesalpinia crista leaf extracts and evaluation of their antiasthmatic potential

This study aimed to examine the phytochemical composition and antiasthmatic effects of chloroform, methanol, and aqueous leaves extract of Caesalpinia crista L. (CC) using five experimental animal models. The bioactive compounds such as fatty acids, esters, ketones, dicarboxylic acids, and sugars were identified in CC leaves through qualitative phytochemical tests and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, while functional groups including alcohols/amines, aliphatic hydrocarbons, carbonyls, alkenes, and ethers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. In the mast cell degranulation model, the aqueous extract exhibited the significant mast cell stabilization at 200 mg/kg, providing 59.85% protection and reducing degranulated mast cells to 30.78 ± 0.23 (p < 0.01). Similarly, the methanol and chloroform extracts exhibited notable protective effects, showing maximum protection of 54.75% and 52.48% at the same dose, respectively. In the bronchospasm model, the aqueous extract exhibited the most notable protective effect at 200 mg/kg, increasing PCD time from 78.83 ± 7.28 to 143.24 ± 5.69 s (p < 0.01). The chloroform and methanol extract also demonstrated a notable bronchodilatory effect at the same dose, extending PCD time from 73.35 ± 1.61 to 126.87 ± 3.47 and 69.56 ± 6.63 to 119.28 ± 7.45 s (p < 0.05), respectively. Interestingly, all the extracts of CC are effectively reduces milk-induced leukocytosis in a dose-dependent manner compared to standard. The chloroform, methanol, and aqueous extracts exhibited the most significant reductions in total leukocyte count at 200 mg/kg, with values of 3445 ± 5.67, 4648 ± 2.23, and 4470 ± 1.53, respectively (P > 0.05). The results from the contractile and relaxation studies on goat trachea and guinea pig ileum revealed that all extracts induced dose-dependent relaxation, though to a lesser extent than the standard, indicating partial but notable muscle relaxation caused by CC extracts. Overall, the present findings provide scientific evidence for the traditional medicinal use of CC leaves and support the ethnopharmacological wisdom of aboriginal communities.