Bronchodilatory effect of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbortristis

• Published in: Pharmacognosy research Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 169 - 172
• Main Authors: Sopi, Ramadan, Hayat Khan, Muhammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd 01-07-2013; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Phcog.net; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Asthma; Drug therapy; Experiments; Histamine; Laboratory animals; Medicine, Botanic; Medicine, Herbal; Original; Smooth muscle; Studies; tracheal smooth muscle; ethanolic extract Nyctanthes arbortristis; a0 sthma; Asthma
• ISSN: 0974-8490; 0976-4836; 0974-8490
• DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.112422

Background: Nyctanthes arbortristis has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of asthma and cough. Aim: In this study, bronchodilatory effect of ethanolic extract of the N. arbortristis was investigated under in vitro conditions. The concentration-response curve of the tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) to histamine was recorded in presence or absence of ethanolic extract and Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Dose-response effect of ethanolic extract on pre-constricted tissues was investigated. The ethanolic extract inhibited the histamine-induced maximum contractile responses of TSM ( P < 0.001). Ethanolic extract also cause dose-dependent relaxation of TSM. These effects were reversed by L-NAME. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of typical plant constituents. These results suggest the possible use of extract of the leaves of N. arbortristis as a bronchodilator in therapeutic treatment of asthma.