Mast Cell Stabilizing, Antianaphylactic and Antihistaminic Activity of Coccinia grandis Fruits in Asthma

Coccinia grandis Linn (Curcubitaceae) is a climber herb cultivated throughout India. In traditional medicine fruits have been used to treat leprosy, fever, asthma, bronchitis and jaundice. In present study, ethanol extract of C. grandis fruit (ECGF) at 100, 125 and 150 mg·kg−1, i.p., was evaluated for mast cell stabilizing, antianaphylactic and antihistaminic activity using egg albumin induced mast cell degranulation in mice; passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats and clonidine induced catalepsy in mice respectively. ECGF at (100-150 mg·kg−1, i.p.) significantly protected egg albumin induced degranulations of mast cells and caused reduction of blue dye leakage in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in dose dependently. The treatment ECGF also inhibited clonidine induced catalepsy in dose dependent manner. Phytochemical studies observed presence of saponin, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides. In conclusion ECGF possesses mast cell stabilizing; anti anaphylactic and antihistaminic potential which might be used in treatment of asthma.