Acetophenones: Highly Active Antiasthmatic Compounds of Plant Origin.

ABSTRACT

In Ayurvedic medicine, Picrorrhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. is used for the treatment of liver and lung diseases. We could identify the phenol glycoside, androsin, as an active compound preventing allergen- and PAF-induced bronchial obstruction in guinea pigs in vivo. The inhalation of androsin and its aglycon, apocynin, was more effective than the oral intake. More than 20 different acetophenones, either newly synthesized or purchased from commercial sources, have been tested in several pharmacological systems. 3,5-Dimethoxy-4-hydroxyacetophenone (Acetosyringenin) is by far the most active compound preventing allergen- and PAF-induced bronchial obstruction by more than 80% after one single dose of 0.5 mg (aerosol).