Okpo S.O., Eze G.I., Ajaanonwu I.H., Ijei O.L., Uwaya D.O., Ologe V.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Okpo, S.O., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Eze, G.I., Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Ajaanonwu, I.H., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Ijei, O.L., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Uwaya, D.O., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Ologe, V., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria
Purpose: Ficus exasperata Vahl is used in folk medicine in the management of various ailments including cough bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Methods: The effect of the aqueous root bark extract of Ficus exasperata on asthma was evaluated using three models: tracheal phenol red secretion in mice, histamine-induced bronchoconstriction and anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. Results: The extract (200 and 500mg/kg) produced a dose dependent prolongation of preconvulsive breathing induced by challenge with ovalbumin in antigen-sensitized guinea pigs. Administration of the extract during the sensitization period (20mg/kg/day) or 1 hr prior to (100, 200 and 500mg/kg) challenge with histamine caused significant prolongation of the preconvulsive breathing time. Histopathologic analysis of the trachea and lung showed a decreased tracheal cartilage and wall thickness as well as reduced mucus plugging of the alveoli in animals pretreated with the extract for 28 days. The extract (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg) also produced a dose-dependent and significant (p<0.001) prolongation of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction but did not exhibit any significant reduction in the ammonium chloride- and pilocarpine-induced phenol red secretion from the trachea. Protection conferred by the extract was comparable to that of the standard mast cell stabilizing drug-sodium cromoglycate - on the same models. Conclusion: Results obtained in the study suggest that the anti-asthma activity of the extract may be more on reduction in bronchial hyperreactivity than on mucus hypersecretion.
antiasthmatic agent; cromoglycate disodium; Ficus exasperata extract; histamine H1 receptor; plant extract; unclassified drug; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; antiasthma activity; article; asthma; bark; controlled study; dose response; drug activity; drug dose comparison; drug effect; drug efficacy; drug screening; female; Ficus; Ficus exasperata; guinea pig; in vivo study; male; mediator release; mouse; mucus secretion; nonhuman; plant root; sensitization
