antihistaminic and anticholinergic activity of methanolic extract of barberry fruit (berberis vulgaris) in the guinea- pig ileum

background: barberry (berberris vulgaris) is a well known medicinal plant in iran and has also been used as food. objective: this study was conducted to evaluate antihistaminic and anticholinergic activity of methanolic extract of barberry fruit. methods: methanolic extract was prepared and pharmacologically studied on isolated guinea- pig ileum, dose- response curves of histamine and acetylcholine with and without methanolic extract were plotted. results: the pa2 values for antihistaminic activity of methanolic extract and dexchlorpheniramine were calculated (extract pa2± s.e.m = 3.53 ± 0.16 [-logc(g/l)] dexchlorpheniramine pa2 ± s.e.m.= 9.36 ± 0.14 ([-logc (m)]) and compared with each other. the pa2 values of anticholinergic activity of methanolic extract and atropine were also calculated (extract pa2± s.e.m = 4.18 ± 0.17 [-logc(g/)] atropine, pa2 +s.e.m = 8.99 ± 0.13 [-logc(m)]) and compared. conclusion: the results indicated antihistaminic and anticholinergic activity of methanolic extract.