title: Antitussive and toxicological evaluation of Vitex negundo.
abstract: Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) is used in traditional medical system for respiratory disorders. This study was carried out to investigate its cough-relieving potential. The antitussive effect of the butanolic extract of V. negundo (Vn) on sulphur dioxide (SO(2))-induced cough was examined in mice. Safety profile of Vn was carried out by observing acute neurotoxicity, median lethal dose (LD(50)) and behavioural signs. Vn dose-dependently (250-1000 mg kg(-1)) inhibited the cough provoked by SO(2) gas in mice and exhibited maximum protection after 60 min of administration. At 1000 mg kg(-1), Vn caused maximum cough-suppressive effects i.e. cough inhibition at 60 min was 67.4%, as compared to codeine (10 mg kg(-1)), dextromethorphan (10 mg kg(-1)) and saline having cough-inhibitory potential 75.7%, 74.7% and 0%, respectively. LD(50) value of V. negundo was found to be greater than 5000 mg kg(-1). In toxicity tests, no signs of neural impairment and acute behavioural toxicity were observed at antitussive doses and extract has been well tolerated at higher doses. These results indicate that V. negundo exhibits antitussive effect and it was found devoid of toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurophysiology, Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Rizwan-ul
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Haq
authors.forename: Azhar-ul-Haq Ali
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Arif-ullah
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Zahoor
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.forename: Habib-ullah
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Rafeeq Alam
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020950:Vitex / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000996:Antitussive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts