Asthma is a common disease that is rising in prevalence worldwide with the highest prevalence in industrialized countries. Asthma affects about 300 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that a further 100 million will be affected by 2025. Since the ancient times, plants have been exemplary sources of medicine. Current asthma therapy lack satisfactory success due to adverse effect, hence patients are seeking complementary and alternative medicine to treat their asthma. Ayurveda and other Indian literature mention the use of plants in various human ailments. India has about 45,000 plant species and among them several thousand are claimed to possess medicinal properties. Researches conducted in the last few decades on the plants mentioned in ancient literature or used traditionally for asthma have shown antiasthmatic, antihistaminic and antiallergic activity. This review reveals that some plants and their extract have antiasthmatic, antihistaminic, anticholinergic and antiallergic activity.
Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Plant Extracts ; Plants, Medicinal

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the methanol extract of Ricinus communis leaves (MRCL).

METHODSAntinociceptive activity was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test, formalin induced paw licking and tail immersion method in mice at doses of 100, 125 and 150 mg/kg bw.

RESULTSThe results indicated that MRCL exhibited considerable antinociceptive activity against three classical models of pain in mice. Preliminary phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of saponin, steroids and alkaloids.

CONCLUSIONSIt can be concluded that MRCL possesses antinociceptive potential that may be due to saponin, steroids and alkaloids in it.

Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Pain ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Ricinus ; chemistry ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; chemistry