Anti allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of the fruits of Randia dumetorum Lamk

Abstract

Randia dumetorum Lamk. commonly known as Madana in Sanskrit and widely distributed throughout India. In Ayurveda, Randia dumetorum Lamk. is used in treatment asthma, rhinitis, bronchatitis, cold, cough, pain,inflammation etc. The aim of this study: was to assess the anti allergic effects of the fruit of Randia dumetorum Lamk. Allergy and anaphylaxis are the most responsible factor for diseases like asthma, rhinitis, bronchatitis, cold,cough, pain, inflammation etc. Asthma is an inflammatory disease of lungs and the hallmarks of the disease are the increased inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways and poor respiratory function although there is a possibility that Randia dumetorum Lamk. may have an inhibitory effect on lung inflammation and allergic mediators. The effects of Randia dumetorum Lamk. on allergy and asthma have not been fully investigated. In the present study, we investigated the antiallergic and antiinflammatory activity of Randia dumetorum Lamk. extract and its fraction on milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia in mice, passive paw anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulation in rat models. Randia dumetorum Lamk. extract was obtained from dried and powdered fruits of Randia dumetorum Lamk. using 95% methanol and its fractions were obtained by using increasing polarity of solvents like Petroleum ether, chloroform,ethylacetate and methanol. Milk was used to induce leucocytosis and eosinophilia in mice model, eggalbumin was used as sensitizer in passive paw anaphylaxis in rat model and clonidine was used to degranulate the mast cells in rat model. We examined the effects of Randia dumetorum Lamk. extract and its fraction on milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia in mice, passive paw anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulation in rats. The extract and its fractions significantly inhibited leukocytosis and eosinophilia in blood of mice. The extract and its fractions also significantly inhibited the passive paw oedema and mast cell degranulation in rats. Methanol extract showed dose dependent significant activity (**p<0.01). Amongst the fractions, chloroform fraction showed the most significant activity followed by ethyl acetate and residual methanol fraction with intermediate activity and finally the petroleum ether fraction with the least or negligible activity (*p<0.05, **p<0.01). These results suggest the possibility of extract and its fraction can exert suppressive effects on allergy, inflammation and asthma and may provide evidence that Randia dumetorum Lamk. is a useful agent for the treatment of allergic airway disease. Hence it would be a good path for the isolation of most bioactive principle for the management of allergic airway disease.