Pharmacological Evaluation for Antitussive and Antiasthmatic Potential of Achillea millefolium Flower Extracts

Background: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with reversible airway obstruction and increased airway responsiveness to a variety of stimuli. The present study aimed to evaluate the ethanolic extract of Achillea millefolium flower for antitussive and anti-asthmatic potential through experimental models. Methods: Antitussive activity was carried out against SO2 induced cough reflex in mice. Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 30 ± 5 g were selected and divided into five groups of 6 animals each. Test drugs were administered orally at a dose of 200,400 and 800 mg/kg. Codeine sulphate was used as standard drug. The sensitized guinea pigs were screened out and divided into control, standard, and AMEE treated groups. Antiasthmatic activity of AMEE was assessed by in vitro guinea pig tracheal chain method and in vivo bronchoprotective test method using aminophylline as a standard drug. Results: AMEE showed significant (P < .001) antitussive activity against SO2 induced cough reflex. AMEE significantly reduced the number of cough reflexes by 43.82%. AMEE exhibits maximum bronchi relaxation of 82.46% and 89.22% against acetylcholine and histamine induced contraction, respectively. AMEE exhibited maximum and significant (P < .001) bronchoprotection of 40.16%. The histopathological studies, in AMEE treated groups showed reduced inflammation of cells when compare with control group. Conclusions: The results of the study revealed the potent antitussive and antiasthmatic activities of Achillea millefolium flower extracts, which support the Achillea millefolium to be used as an antitussive and antiasthmatic in Indian folk medicine and its further implication for the treatment of cough associated complications.Effects of Achillea millefolium ethanolic extract (AMEE) on sulfur dioxide induced cough reflex.S.No.TreatmentDosage (mg/kg)No. of AnimalsFrequency of cough (mean ± SEM)Inhibition (%)1.Control--684.32±5.88--2.AMEE200632.40±8.00*40.12%3.AMEE400648.30±8.21 * #43.82%4.AMEE800658.52±7.96 * #36.22%5.Codeine sulphate20646.00±6.28 **45.94%Significance was evaluated by Student’s t-test (n = 6 animals/experiment). (**)- P < 0.01 as compared with control. (***) - P < 0.001 as compared with control. (#) - P < 0.05 as compared with codeine sulphate.Histopathological section of lung of guinea pig AMEE (400mg) treated.