Evaluation of the Antitussive and Analgesic Activities of Peperomia pellucida Whole Plant Methanol Extract in Rodents

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Peperomia pellucida (Piperaceae) is a plant used in ethnomedicine to treat asthma, colds, coughs, and other illnesses. This study aimed to evaluate the antitussive, expectorant, and analgesic activities of a 70% methanol extract of the plant. Methods: Citric acid and ammonia-induced rodent cough models; and phenol red dye expectorant models in mice were used to evaluate the antitussive and expectorant properties of the orally administered extract. The hot plate and acetic acid-induced mouse writhing models were used to evaluate analgesia. Results: Dihydrocodeine (25 mg/kg); and 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract significantly reduced the frequency of cough bouts and increased the percentage suppression of cough-in citric acid and ammonium hydroxide-induced cough models compared with control (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001). Bromhexine (15 mg/kg); 100 and 400 mg/kg of the extract increased the secretion of phenol red dye in mice when compared with the control (P<0.05, P<0.01). Doses of the extract (100, 200 mg/kg) and pentazocine (3 mg/kg) increased (P<0.05) the latency to response time in hot plate-induced pain. At 400 mg/kg, the extract; and acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhing and increased the percentage inhibition of pain in the acetic acid-induced model when compared to the control (P<0.05, P<0.001). Conclusion: The 70% methanol extract of P. pellucida possesses antitussive, expectorant, and analgesic activities in rodents.

Quantification of Phytochemical Constituents, and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants of Polyherbal-Formulated Tea on Antitussive, Expectorant, and Analgesic Activity in Rodent

“…The poly-herbal-formulated teas (Moringa oleifera, citrus limon, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, and Zingiber officinale), as well as the standard drug bromohexane, were significantly impressive to increase phenol red secretion in mice (Figure 2), which was further enhanced by the presence of ammonium chloride. It is suggested that these substances aid in the secretion of mucus from the airway 21 . Bromohexane, a known expectorant, works by stimulating the vagus nerve in the gastric mucosa, resulting in thinner and easier-to-cough-up mucus.…”

“…The antitussive property of polyherbal tea was evaluated as described by Uwaya et al 20,21 using ammonium (NH4OH)-induced cough and citric acidinduced.…”

“…The mucus expectorant activity of a polyherbal tea formulation was evaluated by modifying the method described by Uwaya et al 21 .…”

“…According to Uwaya et al 20,21 , the analgesic property of polyherbal tea was evaluated through hot plate and acetic acid induced pain.…”