IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO EVALUATION OF ANTI-ASTHMATIC ACTIVITY OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA ROOT EXTRACTS OF CALOTROPIS PROCERA

Objective: The Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. (Ascelpidaeaceae) has been used traditionally as anthelmintic, depurative, diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant, febrifuge, and purgative, but no scientific reports are available in the regulation of asthmatic condition. In this present study, Calotropis procera (Ait.)  R.Br. was selected to investigate scientifically to establish scientific data for its traditional claim. Materials and Methods: The anti-asthmatic activity of MECP (Methanolic extract of roots of Calotropis procera) and AECP (Aqueous extract of roots of Calotropis procera) was studied by using in-vitro and in-vivo models. The reference drug used was chlorpheniramine (CPM) and Dexamethasone. The in-vitro models included isolated goat tracheal chain and guinea pig ileum preparation. Further, the in-vivo included histamine-induced bronchospasm, milk-induced leukocytosis, passive paw anaphylaxis model, and haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Results: In the in-vitro and in-vivo models, the oral dose of both MECP and AECP showed significant results as compared to control. Among both extracts, MECP showed better activity in the prevention of asthma. Conclusion: Based on phytochemical analysis of the root’s extracts of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, and carbohydrates. The methanolic (MECP) and aqueous (AECP) extracts are effective in all the models of asthma as an order of MECP > AECP except AECP > MECP in isolated guinea pig ileum preparation. Therefore it can be concluded that the plant Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br   was found to possess potential anti-asthmatic activity.