Evaluation of anti-tussive activity of Chamaedorea tepejilote.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the potential inhibition of cough in a mouse model induced by sulfur dioxide gas of methanol and chloroform extracts of aerial parts of Chamaedorea tepejilote.


METHODS
The antitussive effect was examined using the Ogyhara method. The extracts and theobromine were orally administered to mice. Each extract was administered to one group (400mg/Kg) and theobromine (2mg), and negative control received PVP. The frequency of cough was measured at 60, 90min after the administration of chloroform extract.


RESULTS
The water extract of C. tepejilote had no effect on the pharmacological model used in this study. The effects of the methanol and chloroform extracts of this plant on sulfur-dioxide-induced cough in experimental animals show activity dose-dependently in the range between 100 to 500mg/Kg. At doses of 400mg/kg, the methanol and chloroform extracts inhibited cough by 41.72% and 49.1%, respectively; these results are comparable to the effect produced by the antitussive agent theobromine (53.4% inhibition).


CONCLUSIONS
Both extracts exhibited significant antitussive activity, and the effect of the chloroform extract was dose dependent. The antitussive activity of this extract was comparable to that of theobromine. The effect of chloroform extract on the trachea was also tested; it did not relax pre-contractions in guinea pig trachealis induced KCl, carbachol or histamine.
Pérez G
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C
Depto de Sistemas Biológicos, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, México D.F., Mexico. cuaupegon@yahoo.com.mx
Zavala S
M A
MA
Ventura R
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E
Pérez G
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S
Ponce M
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