Experimental studies on the mast cell stabilizing and bronchorelaxant effects of UNIM-352, a polyherbal Unani preparation, with therapeutic potential in bronchial asthma

The effects of UNIM-352, a polyherbal Unani preparation, was evaluated on experimental models of mast cell degranulation and bronchoconstriction with a view to study its mechanisms of action to validate its potential use as an adjunct to conventional drug therapy of bronchial asthma. In rats immunized with ovalbumin, antigen challenge resulted in degranulation of mast cells and mortality in control vehicle treated animals, whereas animals pretreated with UNIM-352 (200 or 400 mg/kg) or prednisolone (5 mg/kg) showed significant reduction of mast cell degranulation with no mortality. In the isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation, UNIM-352 dose dependently inhibited the histamine induced bronchoconstriction in both normal and immunized animals. The results of these studies indicate that UNIM-352 could have mast cell stabilizing and bronchorelaxant properties, both of which could contribute to its reported beneficial effects in bronchial asthma.