Antitussive properties of aqueous extracts of Sterculia setigera Delile (Sterculiaceae) and mixture of Aframomum melegueta K. Schum (Zingiberaceae) - Citrus aurantifolia (Christm. and panzer) Swingle (Rutaceae)

Sterculia setigera, Aframomum melegueta and Citrus aurantifolia are plants commonly used in African traditional medicine and especially in Benin to treat cough and asthma. The Phytochemical analysis of aqueous extracts of these plants, based on methods of precipitation and differential staining, revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, leuco-anthocyanins, mucilages and reducing compounds. The presence of essential oils is found only in the mixture. The orally administration of aqueous extracts before induction of cough by inhalation of vapor 10 mL of 20% citric acid in Cavia porcellus (Guinea Pigs) inhibits the cough significantly with dose compared to the control and reference : Neo-codion ®. The extract of mixture Aframomum melegueta - Citrus aurantifolia (AMCA) was more active than Sterculia setigera’s (SS). These results confirm that aqueous extracts of Sterculia setigera and mixture Aframomum melegueta - Citrus aurantifolia, used in traditional medicine in Benin, have antitussive properties.

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