Evaluation of Anti- Tussive Activity of Leaves of Caesalpinia Bonducella F. in Experimentally Induced Cough in Mice

Cough is a natural reflex expulsive defense mechanism of the body, for clearing excess secretions, mucous, inhaled irritants, toxins or foreign substance in the respiratory tract. It is the most common symptom of respiratory disease. When cough becomes serious, opioids are effective, but they have side effects like sedation, constipation, some addiction liability and also compromise the respiratory function. Therefore, there is a need to have effective anti-tussive agent which do not have respiratory suppressant activity. The present study was carried out to evaluate anti-tussive activity of leaves of Caesalpinia bonducella in ammonium hydroxide induced cough model in mice. INTRODUCTION: Coughing protects the respiratory system by clearing or cleaning it voluntarily or involuntarily. As long as cough is helpful in getting rid of infectious material with the help of mucous from the airway, it should not be stopped. Cough usually manifests in common cold, but it may be the initial manifestation of serious illness such as pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, tuberculosis or asthma. It can be in various situations inappropriately stimulated; for example, by inflammation in the respiratory tract or neoplasia. In these cases, cough has a pathological character and it is necessary to use cough-suppressing agents. Anti-tussive agents are used mainly to suppress dry and painful coughs . Hydration of respiratory tract by steam inhalation, demulscents, etc. are effective in reducing symptoms in majority of cases but, for uncontrolled cough, opioidergic central cough suppressants are used. Among opioids, codeine, pholcodeine, noscapine, dextromethorphan, etc. are effective, but they have certain inherent side effects like sedation, constipation, and also some addiction liability. Furthermore, their use in severe cough conditions like asthma is contraindicated, as they are known to further compromise the respiratory function. Therefore, there is need to have effective anti-tussive which can successfully alleviate chronic cough without side effects. Cough suppressant and antiasthmatic activities have been claimed for many medicinal plants . In traditional Chinese medicine, coughing and expectoration were tightly related with lung disease such as lung infections, heat and dryness. Some medicinal plants, which had the function of removing heat from the lungs or moistening the lung, were specialized as drugs for resolving phlegm, relieving cough and asthma. One such plant is Caesalpinia bonducella belonging to family Caesalpiniaceae. Correspondence to Author: