Galphimia glauca organic fraction antagonizes LTD4-induced contraction in guinea pig airways

Galphimia glauca is used for the treatment of asthma and allergies in Latin American traditional medicine. The ethylacetate fraction from its aerial p arts was assayed for bronchoconstriction induced by antigen and several ago nists in guinea pig tracheae. The organic fraction significantly inhibited the contractile response to ovalbumin in tracheae from sensitized guinea pi gs, and significantly and selectively inhibited the bronchoconstriction ind uced by leukotriene D-4 (LTD4). The relative potency of the ethylacetate fr action of G. glauca to produce a concentration-dependent rightward shift of LTD4 concentration-response curve was similar to that reported for SK&F 10 4353, a well-known competitive LTD4-antagonist. (C) Published by 2001 Elsev ier Science Ireland Ltd.