#44 Evaluation of in-vitro and in-vivo anti-asthmatic activity of curcumin and vasicine

Abstract

Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow, and swell and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. Asthma can be minor or in some cases, it may lead to a life-threatening attack. Curcumin (Curcuma longa) and Vasicine (Adathoda vasica) are traditional Indian medicine used in the treatment of bronchial asthma. They have various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator and antioxidant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in-vitro and in-vivo activity of curcumin and vasicine against airway inflammation. In in-vitro histamine-induced contraction on isolated guinea pig tracheal chain preparation method, the guinea pig tracheal chain is prepared and initial responses were recorded with histamine. After giving wash, responses were recorded in presence of a single constituent (curcumin 100 µg/mL and vasicine 30 µg/mL) and combination. In in-vivo ovalbumin (OVA) induced allergic airway inflammation mouse model, the animals were sensitized and challenged by Ovalbumin/ AloH. The BALB/c mice were administrated orally with curcumin(100 mg/kg) and vasicine (3mg/kg) alone and in combination, total and differential count in BALF and IgE level in serum was counted using ELISA. Contraction produced by histamine was antagonized and produced relaxation by the combination of curcumin and vasicine than single constituent. Treatment of mice with the curcumin and vasicine combination reduces the total and differential count of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)(p<0.001) and IgE serum level in the mice(p<0.001) when compared with curcumin and vasicine alone treated groups(p<0.01). The data indicate that the combination of drugs produces relaxation of smooth muscle, reduced the total and differential count and IgE, level in serum. Therefore this study revealed that curcumin and vasicine combination shows a synergetic effect on the inhibition of inflammatory mediators which is useful to treat asthma. From the result, it was concluded that curcumin and vasicine may be an alternative for the conventional drug against asthma.