Evaluation of antiasthmatic activity of Clitoria ternatea L. roots

Aim of study: Clitoria ternatea L (Family: Fabaceae) is being used in traditional medicine for the treatment of severe bronchitis and asthma. So the aim of study was to evaluate antiasthmatic activity of ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea roots. Materials and methods: In the present study ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea root (ECTR) was evaluated for preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity studies and antiasthmatic activity using milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia in mice, egg albumin induced mast cell degranulations in rats and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at doses (100-150 mg/kg ip). Results: The results of present investigation showed that the LD50 of ECTR is more than 1300 mg/kg. ECTR significantly decreases milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia, protects egg albumin induced degranulations of mast cells in mice and inhibits area of blue dye leakage in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at (100-150 mg/kg, i.p.). Phytochemical studies observed the presence of steroids, saponin, flavonoids, and glycosides. Conclusion: The present investigation concludes that the antiasthmatic activity of ECTR may be due to the presence of flavonoids or saponins. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.