In vivo studies on the bronchodilatory and analgesic activities of Hyoscyamus niger and Aspalathus linearis

The present study describes the in vivo bronchodilatory and analgesic activities of the crude extract of Hyoscyamus niger (Hn.Cr) and Aspalathus linearis (Al.Cr), which tested positive for alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, sterols, tannins, terpenes and flavonoids, tannins, saponins respectively. Hn.Cr (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) and Al.Cr (10-100 mg/kg) caused inhibition of the CCh (1 μmol/kg)-induced increase in the inspiratory pressure of anaesthetized rats. Hn.Cr and Al.Cr dose-dependently (50-100 mg/kg) reduced the numbers of acetic acid-mediated writhes in mice. These results indicate that Hyoscyamus niger and Aspalathus linearis exhibit airways-relaxant and anti-nociceptive effects, hence justifying their medicinal use in asthma and pain.