Anti-asthmatic and anti-anaphylactic activities of Blatta orientalis mother tincture.

OBJECTIVES

To study the anti-asthmatic and anti-anaphylactic activities of Blatta orientalis mother tincture (B. orientalis MT), a homeopathic medicine, in experimental animal models.

METHODS

The anti-asthmatic activity of B. orientalis MT was studied in the bronchial hyperactivity models, acetylcholine and histamine induced bronchospasm, in guinea pigs. Anti-anaphylactic activity was tested by active and passive anaphylaxis models in rats, anti-eosinophilic activity was tested by milk-induced eosinophilia in mice.

RESULTS

Significant protection against acetylcholine and histamine aerosol-induced bronchospasm in B. orientalis MT treated guinea pigs was seen. In active and passive anaphylaxis albino rat models significant reduction in mesenteric mast cells degranulation, serum IgE level and eosinophil cell count was observed in the B. orientalis MT treated rat group when compared with the sensitized control rat group.

CONCLUSION

These results reveal broad activity of B. orientalis MT. It may have nonselective anti-asthmatic activity. The anti-anaphylactic activity of B. orientalis MT may be due to mast cell stabilization, suppression of IgE and eosinophil cell count.