kutkin and Bronchial-Spasm

Picroliv, a standardised iridoid glycoside fraction from the root and rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa at a dose of 25 mg kg-1 p.o. inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice (82%) and rats (50-85%) and protected mast cells from degranulation (60-80%) in a concentration-dependent manner. Its effect was also studied in sensitised guinea pig ileum preparation in vitro (Schultz-Dale study) and in normal guinea pigs in vivo (Konzett-Rossler, in preparation). There was inhibition of the Schultz-Dale response in sensitised guinea pig ileum, but the bronchospasm induced by histamine could not be antagonised or prevented by Picroliv, indicating the absence of a direct post-synaptic histamine receptor blocking activity.

Topics: Animals; Bronchial Spasm; Cinnamates; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glycosides; Guinea Pigs; Histamine Antagonists; Ileum; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Mast Cells; Mice; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Vanillic Acid