ANTI ALLERGIC AND ANTIASTHMATIC EFFECT OF HERBAL FORMULATION ON MURINE MODEL OF ASTHMA

Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale and Alpinia galanga are traditionally and scientifically reported for the treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchial congestion and allergic reactions in the respiratory tract. As part of a continuing effort aimed at the development of efficacious antiallergic and antiasthmatic herbal formulation for the treatment of asthma and related respiratory diseases. We have formulated antiasthmatic herbal capsules (AHF) using Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale and Alpinia galanga extracts. The protective effect of the antiasthmatic herbal formulation (AHF) containing extracts of Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, and Alpinia galanga were studied on Milk-induced Leukocytosis and Eosinophilia in mice and also compared with the available marketed formulation. Subcutaneous injection of milk in a dose of 4ml/kg produced significant increase p<0.05, p<0.01 in leukocytes count after 24 h of its administration. Mice pretreated with MKTD at a dose of 248.5 mg/kg, p.o. exhibited inhibition p<0.01 and AHF at the dose of 62.5, 125, 250 mg/kg, p.o. exhibited inhibition p<0.01 of milk-induced leukocytosis. Subcutaneous injection of milk at a dose of 4 ml/kg produced a significant (###p<0.01) increase in the leucocytes count after 24 hr of its administration. In the groups of mice pretreated with MKTD and AHF 62.5, 125, 250 mg/kg, p.o., there was significant (*p<0.05, **p<0.01) inhibition of milk-induced Eosinophils. The findings revealed that the antiallergic and antiasthmatic activity of AHF might be due to marked inhibition of leukocytes and eosinophils.