RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE:To study the anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of Pegaeophyti Radix Et Rhizoma(P. Radix Et Rhizoma). METHODS:In the experiment,there were a model group,a positive control group [30 mg/kg co-deine for mice,18.38 mg/kg codeine for guinea pigs,20 mg/kg indometacin for mice and 15 mg/kg indometacin for rats] and P. Ra-dix Et Rhizoma low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups [2.0,4.0 and 8.0 g(medicinal materials)/kg for mice;1.2,2.4 and 4.8 g (medicinal materials)/kg for guinea pigs;1.4,2.8 and 5.6 g (medicinal materials)/kg for rats],with 10 animals in each group. The above-mentioned animals were given corresponding drug ig for 4 consecutive days,and then strong ammonia spraying method and sulfur dioxide stimulation method were employed to induce cough in mice and citric acid spraying method to induce cough in guinea pigs to observe the incubation period and times of cough,auricular swelling method to observe xylene-induced au-ricular swelling in mice and pedal swelling method to observe carrageenin-induced pedal swelling in rats. RESULTS:Compared to the model group,Aqueous extract of P. Radix Et Rhizoma could prolong the incubation period and reduce times of cough induced by strong ammonia spraying and sulfur dioxide stimulation in mice of positive control group and P. Radix Et Rhizoma medium-dose and high-dose groups;it could prolong the incubation period of and reduce times of cough induced by citric acid spraying in guinea pigs of positive control group and P. Radix Et Rhizoma medium-dose and high-dose groups;it could alleviate xylene-induced auricu-lar swelling in mice of positive control group and P. Radix Et Rhizoma medium-dose and high-dose groups;it could alleviate carra-geenin-induced pedal swelling in rats of positive control group and P. Radix Et Rhizoma medium-dose and high-dose groups. There were statistically significances (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Aqueous extract of P. Radix Et Rhizoma has anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory effects on the experimental animals.
RESUMEN
Background: Scoparia dulcis is used in Ghanaian folkloric medicine for the management of asthma and its related complications. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the anti-tussive, muco-suppressant and expectorant properties of hydroethanolic extract of S. dulcis (SDE), and to ascertain its safety for use in asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease management. Methods: The number of coughs induced in guinea pigs using citric acid and the concentration of phenol red secreted in tracheae of mice were measured. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was conducted on the extract using standard procedures. Safety for use of the extract was assessed by conducting an acute and delayed toxicity test. Results: The extract showed a dose-independent inhibition (p ≤ 0.001) of cough elicited by 7.5% citric acid, and a dose-dependent increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the amount of phenol red output in mice tracheae similar to that of ammonium chloride. For the muco-suppressant activity, SDE dose-dependently reduced (p ≤ 0.001) the concentration of ammonium chloride-induced phenol red secretions from mice tracheae. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, and phenolic compounds. No acute and/or delayed toxic symptoms were observed after an oral administration of up to 5 g/kg of S. dulcis extract. Conclusion: The results showed that S. dulcis extract has anti-tussive, muco-suppressant and, expectorant and/or mucolytic properties; making it a possible remedy for asthma, and obstructive pulmonary disease.