IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EVALUATION OF ANTI-ASTHMATIC ACTIVITY OF EUGENIA JAMBOLANA BARK

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder associated with airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchoconstriction and inflammatory changes in the airways. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-asthmatic activity of Eugenia jambolana bark extracts. The bark was extracted using aqueous and alcoholic solvents to obtain aqueous extract of Eugenia jambolana (AQEEJ) and methanolic extract of Eugenia jambolana (MEEJ). The percentage yields of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts were reported as 20.48% w/w and 11.45% w/w, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids/terpenoids, carbohydrates, resins and other phytoconstituents. In the guinea pig ileum preparation, both extracts inhibited acetylcholine-induced contraction, with AQEEJ producing comparatively greater inhibition than MEEJ.The acute toxicity observations reported in the study showed no significant behavioural or morphological toxic manifestations at the investigated doses. The observed inhibitory effects against histamine- and acetylcholine-induced smooth-muscle responses indicate that Eugenia jambolana bark extracts possess promising preliminary anti-asthmatic activity. The activity may be associated with the bioactive phytoconstituents present in the extracts. Further well-controlled in vivo studies and mechanistic investigations are required to establish the efficacy, safety and therapeutic potential of Eugenia jambolana bark extracts in asthma. Keywords: Eugenia jambolana; Bark extract; Anti-asthmatic activity; Histamine; Acetylcholine; Guinea pig ileum; Bronchoconstriction; Phytochemical screening.