Evaluation of Anti-Asthmatic and In Vitro Anti-Oxidant Potential of Tragia involucrata Linn

The objective is to evaluate the in vivo anti-asthmatic and in vitro antioxidant potential of Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract of Tragia involucrata (HAETI) on experimental animals. In vivo anti-asthmatic activity of HAETI was evaluated by Arachidonic acid-induced Leucocytosis and Eosinophilia in guinea pigs, Arachidonic acid-induced mast cell degranulation in guinea pigs, and Mast cell Degranulation studies. Parameters like hematological analysis, percentage protection against mast cell degranulation, and time of occurrence of Pre-Convulsion Dyspnea (PCD) were calculated as the end point of the study. Further sections of the lung were prepared for histopathology analysis. In addition, in vitro, anti-oxidant studies were carried out to determine the percentage of inhibition of HAETI on oxidative stress parameters. After the assigned treatment to the group of animals with HAETI showed normalized hematological parameters, the bronchodilatation effect was confirmed by a significant (p<0.001) increase in the latency time of Pre Convulsion Dyspnoea (PCD) and pre-treatment with HAETI in mast cell degranulation study showed significant (p<0.001) reduction in degranulation of mesenteric mast cell number. The histopathological analysis of lung sections showed a reduction of total histological score in HAETI-treated guinea pigs compared with the disease control group (p< 0.0001). Based on IC50 values from in vitro assays, the free radical scavenging property of HAETI was confirmed due to the presence of active phytoconstituents. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that Tragia involucrata could be effectively used in the treatment of asthma and justified with traditional claims of the plant.