title: Evaluation of the protective and ameliorative properties of Garcinia kola on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Garcinia kola is popularly used in African traditional medicine for the relief of acute bronchoconstrictive episodes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we examined the anti-asthmatic and morphological effects of the ethanol extract of G. kola in animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and then given doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg/day for 21 consecutive days. Theophylline (10 mg/kg/day) was used as a standard. At the end of the exposure, the animals were exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol in a chamber. Lymphocyte count, bronchial histology and morphometry were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with non-sensitized controls, 200 mg/kg/day dose of the extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased the time taken for onset of preconvulsive dyspnea while the dose of 400 mg/kg/day significantly (P < 0.01) reduced bronchial wall thickness. Lymphocytes counts were not significantly affected but the bronchi of extract-treated animals were histologically clearer of lesions visible in the sensitized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These protective and ameliorative properties lend credence to the use of G. kola in ethnomedicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mina T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ibulubo
authors.forename: Gerald I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Eze
authors.forename: Raymond I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Ozolua
authors.forename: Doroteo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baxter-Grillo
authors.forename: Dickson O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Uwaya