title: Effects of the extracts of Desmodium adscendens on anaphylaxis.
abstract: Desmodium adscendens, used by herbalists in Ghana for the treatment of asthma, is anti-anaphylactic in vitro. As the plant material is administered orally, in vivo studies of its anti-anaphylactic property were undertaken using the guinea-pig. The results show that both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of D. adscendens, when taken orally, reduce anaphylactic contractions, interfere with histamine-induced contractions, and reduce the amount of smooth muscle stimulating substances released from lung tissue of guinea pigs.
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D006632:Histamine; D010047:Ovalbumin