title: Studies on the anti-asthmatic and antitussive properties of aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum in rodent species.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antiasthmatic and antitussive properties of the aqueous leaf extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (B. pinnatum) (BP) Lam.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs which were treated with BP for 21 consecutive days were exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol in a glass chamber. Mucus viscosity, white blood cell and lymphocyte counts and tracheal wall morphometry were measured. Bouts of cough were counted pre and post acute exposure of extract-treated (× 7 d) guinea pigs to 7.5% citric acid aerosol in a chamber. Phenol red expectoration was estimated in mice after 7 d of daily administration of BP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day (×21 d) BP significantly increased the time for guinea pigs to experience preconvulsive dyspnoea. BP and salbutamol (0.5 mg/kg/day ×21 d) reduced mucus viscosity in the sensitized group to values comparable with controls. White blood cell, lymphocyte counts and tracheal morphometry were not significantly altered. Both doses of BP also significantly reduced the bouts of cough but only 400 mg/kg/day significantly inhibited the amount of phenol red secreted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BP has demonstrated antiasthmatic and antitussive properties in these rodent models. These properties may underscore its use in Nigerian ethnomedicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Edward O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Salami
authors.forename: Raymond I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Ozolua
authors.forename: Stephen O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Okpo
authors.forename: Gerald I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Eze
authors.forename: Dickson O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Uwaya
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000009:adverse effects; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D031962:Kalanchoe / Q000737:chemistry*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009093:Mucus / Q000187:drug effects; D010047:Ovalbumin; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014783:Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000996:Antitussive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019343:Citric Acid; D006632:Histamine; D010047:Ovalbumin