Preliminary studies on the hydroalcoholic extract of the root of <i>Cissampelos sympodialis</i> Eichl in guinea‐pig tracheal strips and bronchoalveolar leucocytes

Abstract

Abstract The aqueous fraction of the ethanol extract of the root of Cissampelos sympodialis , reduced the spontaneous tone, and inhibited the contractions induced by submaximal concentrations of carbachol, histamine, prostaglandin F 2α and substance P, in guinea‐pig tracheal preparations. The fraction was approximately equipotent to aminophyl‐line and the IC 50 values of the above agents varied from 13.9 to 95.5 μg/mL, depending on the agonist used. In concentrations ranging from 1–100 μg/mL, the fraction also increased the intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in guinea‐pig bronchoalveolar leucocytes. It is proposed that the combined effects on smooth muscles and on leucocytes indicate a pharmacological basis for the use of the plant in asthma.