RESUMO
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Berries of the plant Solanum nigrum Linn (Solanaceae) are used for the treatment of asthma in folk medicine and ancient books. AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate potential of the plant berries in the treatment of asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of S. nigrum berries (50, 100 and 200mg/kg, i.p.) were screened for the treatment of asthma by the various methods viz. effect on clonidine and haloperidol induced catalepsy, milk-induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia, mast cell stabilizing activity in mice and studies on smooth muscle preparation of guinea pig ileum (in vitro). Active petroleum ether extract was standardized by HPTLC. RESULTS: The petroleum ether extract of S. nigrum berries inhibited clonidine-induced catalepsy significantly but not haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Petroleum ether extract significantly inhibited increased leukocyte and eosinophil count due to milk allergen and showed maximum protection against mast cell degranulation by clonidine. Petroleum ether extract resisted contraction induced by histamine better than other extracts. All the results are dose dependant. Active petroleum ether extract showed presence of antiasthmatic compound, ß-sitosterol. CONCLUSION: The petroleum ether extract of S. nigrum berries can inhibits parameters linked to the asthma disease.