Abstract

In Paraguayan folk medicine, Rhynchosia edulis Griseb., is used to alleviate respiratory affections. This work is intended to evaluate the antitussive, expectorant, and anti-asthmatic effect of the crude extract of R. edulis roots (CERe) in Swiss albino mice after oral administration. The ammonia-induced cough, the tracheal secretion of phenolsulfonphthalein, and clonidine-induced catalepsy in mice were used as an experimental design. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and tannins. The extract (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced cough frequency, similar to that produced by codeine phosphate in mice. Besides, 10 mg/kg of CERe (251%; p < 0.05) denoted a significant increase in tracheal secretion of phenolsulfophthalein when compared to the vehicle-treated group. Mice pretreated with 100 mg/kg of CERe showed reduced catalepsy time (p < 0.05) induced by clonidine (108.28 seconds of duration) when compared to the vehicle-treated group (231 seconds). Based on the above, we concluded that CERe has a significant antitussive, expectorant, and anti-asthmatic effect in mice models. These results are consistent with the traditional use of R. edulis as antitussive, expectorant, and anti-asthmatic.

Key words: gross behavior, ammonia induced cough, respiratory diseases, mucoactive; phenolsulfonphthalein