Effects of some Malian medicinal plants on the respiratory tract of guinea-pigs.

Abstract

Crossopteryx febrifuga, Pteleopsis suberosa and Entada africana are used in Mali traditional medicine for fever and various respiratory diseases. We have investigated the effects of these three drugs in the form of a decoction on the respiratory tract using different experimental models. On citric acid-induced cough in guinea-pigs, the three drugs significantly decreased the number of coughs at the doses of 250 (P < 0.01), 500 (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) and 1000 (P < 0.01) mg kg(-1). The percent inhibition was respectively 62.86, 69.03 and 77.44% for C. febrifuga, 57.80, 53.90 and 61.40% for E. africana, and 37.13, 42.44 and 73.72% for P. suberosa. Codeine phosphate (10 mg kg(-1)) used as reference drug showed an inhibition of 76.32%. E. africana (1000 mg kg(-1)) reduced (65% inhibition) significantly (P < 0.05) bronchoconstriction induced by histamine (99.25% and 34.00% for control and extract, respectively). Furthermore, E. africana (1000 mg kg(-1)) provoked a bronchodilatation response when administered under basal conditions. On antigen-induced bronchospasm, C. febrifuga protected (54% inhibition) sensitized guinea-pigs with a pulmonary ventilation pressure (PVP) of 24.87% (control value < 55.00%). P. suberosa was inactive in both experimental models. The reference drug, disodium cromoglycate (10 mg kg(-1), i.v.) protected significantly (P < 0.05) with a PVP of 12.00% (78% of inhibition). This study confirmed the traditional use of these plants in the treatment of cough and other respiratory disorders.

• Authors: F Occhiuto, R Sanogo, M P Germano, A Keita, V D'Angelo, R De Pasquale
• Journal: The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology (J Pharm Pharmacol) Vol. 51 Issue 11 Pg. 1299-303 (Nov 1999) ISSN: 0022-3573 [Print] England
• PMID: 10632088 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Antitussive Agents
• Histamine Antagonists
• Plant Extracts
• Citric Acid
• Cromolyn Sodium
• Codeine

Topics

• Airway Resistance (drug effects)
• Animals
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (pharmacology)
• Antitussive Agents (pharmacology)
• Bronchial Spasm (prevention & control)
• Bronchoconstriction (drug effects)
• Citric Acid
• Codeine (pharmacology)
• Cough (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Cromolyn Sodium (pharmacology)
• Fruit (chemistry)
• Guinea Pigs
• Histamine Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Male
• Mali
• Plant Epidermis (chemistry)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Plant Roots (chemistry)
• Plants, Medicinal (chemistry)
• Respiratory System (drug effects)