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.

Antitussive activity of polysaccharides isolated from the Malian medicinal plants

“…250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of b.w. showed antitussive effect as well as bronchodilatory property of C. febrifuga extract [6]. It is evident that the extract from C. febrifuga fruits in the dose of 50 mg/kg b.w.…”

“…The C. febrifuga extract was not active in the dose of 50 mg/kg b.w., however 10-20 fold higher doses suppressed cough attack and showed as well bronchodilatory properties [6].…”

“…against tuberculosis, oxytocic, and antispasmodic agent for the digestive tract. Syrup Balembo is one of frequently used traditional medicine against cough, which contains extract of C. febrifuga fruits and it is classified as expectorants [4,6].…”

A survey of toxic plants on the market in the district of Bamako, Mali: traditional knowledge compared with a literature search of modern pharmacology and toxicology

“…Scientific studies on plants from Mali have been performed only to a small extent. They have partly confirmed their local uses (Diallo, 2000;Diallo et al, 1999Diallo et al, , 2002Traore-Keita et al, 2000;Occhiuto et al, 1999). Data on the toxicity of the Malian plants are only available to a low degree.…”

Improved Traditional Medicines in Mali

“…The fruits are boiled in water to produce a syrup, which was the most effective of several antitussive remedies tested, 4 and is nontoxic when given orally. 5 There was very low toxicity at the dose of 30 g/kg administrated orally in mice.…”