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Abstract
To evaluate the antihistaminic, mast cell stabilization and spasmolytic activity of aqueous extract of Pistacia integerrima galls in various experimental models. The mast cell stabilization, antihistaminic and spasmolytic activity of aqueous extract of Pistacia integerrima galls was evaluated using albino wistar rats and guinea pigs. The effect on mast cell stabilization was performed by ex vivo challenge of antigen in sensitized rat intestinal mesenteries. Antihistaminic activity was studied in guinea pigs using histamine-induced bronchospasm where preconvulsive dyspnoea was used as an end point following exposure to histamine aerosol and spasmolytic activity was studied on isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation where percentage inhibition in histamine induced contraction was measured. Treatment with aqueous extract of Pistacia integerrima galls showed a dose dependent (at 27 and 54 mg/kg p.o.) effect on disruption rate of actively sensitized mesenteric mast cells of albino rats when challenged with antigen (horse serum along with triple antigen vaccine).Aqueous extract of P.integerrima galls treatment for ten days resulted in significant protection against histamine aerosol-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs and showed the spasmolytic activity against histamine induced contractions in isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation. Antiasthmatic activity of aqueous extract of Pistacia integerrima galls may be possibly due to the membrane stabilizing potential, suppression of antibody production and inhibition of antigen induced histamine release