Mast Cell Stabilizing, Antianaphylactic and Bronchodilatory activity of Methanolic extract of Averrhoa carambola Fruit

This work was mainly aimed to study the mast cell stabilizing, anti-anaphylactic and bronchodilatory activities of methanolic extract of Averrhoa carambola (ACME). Mast cell stabilization activity was investigated by Compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation in rats and antianaphylactic activity was performed by determining the mortality rate of mice upon exposure to compound 48/80. The bronchodilatory effect of ACME was studied on histamine aerosol-induced bronchospasm using guinea pigs, in which occurrence of preconvulsive dyspnea (PCD) was noted as end point. Treatment with ACME (100, 200 and 400mg/kg) showed significant (p<0.05) protection of rat peritoneal mast cells and significantly (p<0.05) reduced the mortality of mice in a dose dependent manner. ACME significantly (p<0.05) increased the time of preconvulsive dyspnea (PCD) in a dose dependent manner that suggestive of bronchodilating activity. Phytochemical studies observed presence of saponins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides. From these finding, we concluded that ACME possesses mast cell stabilizing; anti anaphylactic and bronchodilatory activity which might be used in treatment of asthma.