Evaluation of pharmacodynamic activities of EPs® 7630, a special extract from roots of Pelargonium sidoides, in animals models of cough, secretolytic activity and acute bronchitis
Abstract
Background
EPs® 7630 is a proprietary aqueous-ethanolic extract from roots of Pelargonium sidoides
DC and has been demonstrated to dispose among others of antibacterial,
antiviral, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and tissue-protective
activity. It is an approved medicinal product in more than 50 countries
for the treatment of airway infections such as acute bronchitis, common
cold, and sinusitis.
Purpose
While the pharmacological effects of EPs® 7630 have extensively been evaluated in diverse in vitro test systems, the number of publications reporting results from in vivo models is limited.
Study design
In the present study antitussive, secretolytic, and anti-inflammatory effects of EPs® 7630 were assessed in animal experiments following oral administration at human equivalent doses.
Methods
Antitussive
effects were evaluated using ammonia- and citric acid-induced models of
cough in mice (20, 40, 120 mg/kg) and guinea pigs (10, 20, 45 mg/kg),
respectively. For the determination of secretolytic activity
tracheobronchial secretion of intraperitoneally injected phenol red was
determined in mice, while antiinflammatory action was assessed in an
acute bacterial bronchitis model in rats.
Results
A
significant and dose-dependent reduction of cough frequency was
observed in both cough models, which was accompanied by a prolongation
of cough latency time. Similarly, the extract exerted a marked
secretolytic activity in mice. Induction of acute bacterial bronchitis
caused characteristic histopathological changes in lung tissue adjacent
to trachea and bronchi. The degree of these lesions was significantly
reduced in rats treated with EPs® 7630 at doses of 30 and 60
mg/kg. This protective effect at least partially seems to be mediated by
an up-regulation of superoxide dismutase and a subsequent protective
effect against oxidative stress as indicated by a reduced serum level of
malondialdehyde.
Conclusion
The present data further support the therapeutic use of EPs® 7630 in respiratory tract infections and provide a basis for detailed studies on its bioactive constituents as well as their in vivo mode of action.
Keywords
- Antitussive;
- Secretolytic;
- Acute bronchitis;
- Airway infection;
- Herbal medicinal product;
- Pelargonium sidoides
Abbreviations
- SOD, superoxide dismutase;
- MDA, malondialdehyde;
- SD, standard deviation
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Copyright © 2015 Published by Elsevier GmbH
