title: Evaluation of Nigerian traditional medicine: effects of Gakani, a herbal anti-asthmatic drug.
abstract: The anti-asthmatic potential of Gakani, a popular herbal drug in Nigeria was investigated. The LD50 values of the freeze-dried aqueous extract in mice and rats were 20.9 +/- 2.4 mg/kg and 18.6 +/- 4 mg/kg, respectively. The extract unsurmountably blocked the effects of histamine and isoprenaline on the guinea pig tracheaL chain. It produced initial dose-related contractions of the isolated guinea pig ileum and rat stomach strip, which was followed by persistent autoinhibition and inhibition of histamine- and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced responses of the two preparations, respectively. The extract had good anti-inflammatory effect in rats, causing a dose-related inhibition of the increase in the paw circumference (acute inflammation) induced by subplantar injection of fresh egg albumin. These results highlight the anti-asthmatic and toxic potential of this preparation and the need for a systemic approach in the study of traditional medicines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Akah
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Gamaniel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Wambebe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D009549:Nigeria; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D006632:Histamine; D007545:Isoproterenol