Anti-­Histaminic Potential of the Fractions from Hedranthera Barteri [(Hook F.) Pichon] Root in Laboratory Rodents

Hedranthera barteri L. (HB) is used in the treatment of painful conditions and oedema amongst its folkloric use. The hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the root of H. barteri were investigated for anti-nociceptive and antiinflammatory properties and probable mechanism of action. Hot plate, tail flick, formalin-induced oedema and acetic acidinduced writhing tests were employed to investigate the anti-nociceptive activity while the anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Anti-histaminic potential of HB root extracts on the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) was explored through spectrofluorometric method. The root was screened for its phytochemical components. The HB root contains alkaloids, cardenolides and saponins. HXHBR exhibited higher anti-inflammatory potentials (P<0.001). HXHBR dose-dependently (P