Short Communication

Studies on the expectorant, antitussive and antiasthmatic properties of asterosaponin extracted from Luidia quinaria

Chenghua Guo^1,2*, Xuexi Tang¹, Xinwei Dong² and Yan Yang¹

¹College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.

²Scientific and Technological College of Chemistry and Biology, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China

*Corresponding author. E-mail: gch@ytu.edu.cn. Tel.:+86-0535-6903551.

Fax +86-0535-6902063

Accepted 30 April, 2009

   Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the expectorant, antitussive and antiasthmatic effects of asterosa-ponin from Luidia quinaria through secretion of phenol red from mouse tracheas, frequency of cough caused by ammonia in mice and asthma induced by histamine in guinea pig, respectively. Results showed that asterosaponin extracted from L. quinaria at doses of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg could signi-ficantly increase secretion of phenol red from mouse tracheas, prolonged the latent period of asthma induced by histamine, and decreased the frequency of cough caused by ammonia. In conclusion, asterosaponin from L. quinaria has obvious antitussive, antiasthmatic and expectorant effects.

Key words: Luidia quinaria, asterosaponin, antitussive, antiasthmatic, expectorant.