OBJECTIVES: Asthma is immune-inflammatory airway disorder characterized by airway obstruction and hyperresponsiveness. Berberine (5,6-dihydro-9,10-dimethoxybenzo[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo[5,6-a]quinolizinium) is an isoquinoline alkaloid has wide ranging pharmacological and biological activities. The objective of present investigation was to evaluate antiasthmatic activity of berberine against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in rats.

METHODS: AHR was induced in the male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of OVA. Rats were treated with berberine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days followed by OVA-aerosol intranasal challenge. Lung function test was performed on various days. Biochemical and molecular parameters were assessed in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue.

RESULTS: Total cell counts, eosinophil counts in BALF and blood increased significantly (P < P <