In Vivo Antitussive Activity of Chrysophyllum welwitschii against Ammonia Liquor-Induced Cough in Rats

The study was carried out to evaluate antitussive activity of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts from leaves of Chrysophyllum welwitschii (CHRYSOW) in laboratory animals. The present study was designed to observe pharmacological activities of the leaves extract of the plant Chrysophyllum welwitschii. Antitussive activity was performed by ammonia liquor-induced cough reflex rats. Analgesic and antipyretic activities were evaluated by the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of CHRYSOW (500 mg/kg) exhibited significant antitussive activity i. e.77.82 % and 65.21 % respectively, but lower dose (250 mg/kg) of these showed less activity i. e.31.70 % and 22.80 % respectively, inhibition in ammonia liquor induced cough (P less than 0.05). The standard antitussive drug dextromethorphan (20 mg/kg) showed maximum inhibition of cough by 94.11 %. It was found that both extracts of Chrysophyllum welwitschii showed antitussive activity and obtained percentage inhibition of cough reflex is approximately comparable as standard drug.