GC-MS Analysis and Antiasthmatic Activity of Hexane Extract of Phyllanthus amarus(Chancapiedra) L. in Guinea Pig

Phyllanthusamarus(chancapiedra),plantfamily—Euphorbiaceae,have been used in the treatment of several ailments among traditional medicine practitioners. The plant after treatment andextraction with hexane solvent was screened for phytochemical constituents.Isolation of oil fromthe extract was done using vacuum liquid chromatography and characterized using gaschromatography-mass spectrometry.The acute toxicity test was determined to estimate the lethaldose (LD50)value of the extract inBalb/c albino mice. Bronchial asthmawas induced into the guineapigs in the test groups with 10% histamine dihydrochlorideaerosols. Chloro-pheniranmine (8mg/kg), saline (5ml/kg) and the plant extract (10mg/kg, 20mg/kg and 30mg/kg) wereadministered orally for 30 minutes prior to the exposure of histamine aerosols for 6 minutes.Phenolics, flavonoids,and alkaloids were present in the extract. Themajor components detectedfrom the isolated yellow oil ofP.amarusamong otherswere 1, 14-tetradecandiol[retention time(Rt): 17.47, 14.86%], adihydric alcohol andcholest-4-en-3-one (Rt:19.49, 15.01%), a reducedcholesterol.LD50value of 28.18mg of extract/kg body weight of the mice was derived from theregression graph. Upon exposure of the treated guinea pigs to the histamine aerosols, those whichdeveloped typical histamine asthma (characterised by dyspnoea:convulsions and asphyxia) within 6minutes of exposure were removed from chamber for possible recovery while those whichdid notdevelop typical asthma after the 6th minute were taken as protected. The results of the studygenerally indicated that the plant extract exhibitedsignificant bronchodilatory activity againsthistamine.