Effects of some malian medicinal plants on the respiratory tract of guinea-pigs

Crossopteryx febrifuga, Pteleopsis suberosa and Entada africana are used in Mali traditional medicine for fever and various respiratory diseases. We h ave investigated the effects of these three drugs in the form of a decoctio n on the respiratory tract using different experimental models. On citric acid-induced cough in guinea-pigs, the three drugs significantly decreased the number of coughs at the doses of 250 (P < 0 . 01), 500 (P < 0 . 05; P < 0 . 01) and 1000 (P < 0 . 01) mg kg(-1). The percent inhibition was respectively 62 . 86, 69 . 03 and 77 . 44% for C. febrifuga, 57 . 80, 5 3 . 90 and 61 . 40% for E. africana, and 37 . 13, 42 . 44 and 73 . 72% for P. suberosa. Codeine phosphate (10 mg kg(-1)) used as reference drug showed an inhibition of 76 . 32%. E. africana (1000 mg kg(-1)) reduced (65% inhibition) significantly (P < 0 . 05) bronchoconstriction induced by histamine (99 . 25% and 34 . 00% for c ontrol and extract, respectively). Furthermore, E. africana (1000 mg kg(-1) ) provoked a bronchodilatation response when administered under basal condi tions. On antigen-induced bronchospasm, C. febrifuga protected (54% inhibition) se nsitized guinea-pigs with a pulmonary ventilation pressure (PVP) of 24-87% (control value < 55 . 00%). P. suberosa was inactive in both experimental m odels. The reference drug, disodium cromoglycate (10 mg kg(-1), i.v.) prote cted significantly (P < 0 . 05) with a PVP of 12 . 00% (78% of inhibition). This study confirmed the traditional use of these plants in the treatment o f cough and other respiratory disorders.