ACTIVITIES OF SOLANUM NIGRUM ON THE INFILTRATION OF INFLAMMATORY CELLS IN THE LUNGS OF OVALBUMIN INDUCED ASTHMA IN GUINEA PIGS

Abstract
In this study, the effect of ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum (Sn) leaf on the infiltration of inflammatory cells in ovalbumin induced asthma in guinea pigs was investigated. A total of thirty guinea pigs of both sexes divided into six groups consisting of five pigs each were used for the experiment. All animals were allowed unlimited access to feed and water. In addition animals in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were pre-sensitized with ovalbumin administered intraperitoneally and the animals in groups 3,4,5 and 6 were challenged by aerosol inhaled ovalbumin after which ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum leaf at the respective doses of 100 and 200mg/kg body weight was administered to groups 4, 5 and 6. Animals in groups 6 were treated with ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum leaf at dose 100mg/kg body weight from the point of challenge till the day of sacrifice. All animals were sacrificed three days after the last challenge and their lungs were excised, sections cut off for histochemical and histopathology analysis. Result obtained indicates that sensitization with ovalbumin caused an accumulation/infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lungs. Treatment with ethanol extract of Solanum nigrum (Sn) leaf showed no dose dependent reduction in the level of infiltration of inflammatory cells at the dosage used (100 and 200mg/kg body weight) although anti-inflammatory property of the plant was observed at a dose of 500mg/kg body weight.