Antitussive, Expectorant and Antipyretic Effect of the Ethanolic Extract of the Leaves of Momordica charantia L.

The traditional use of the M. charantia L. plant to treat coughs, fever and expectoration is widely practiced in different cultures, but its effectiveness and safety still require scientific investigation. This study sought to perform a chemical analysis and evaluate the antitussive, expectorant and antipyretic effects of the ethanolic extract of M. charantia leaves (EEMc) in rats and mice. The EEMc was subjected to chemical analysis by HPLC-DAD, revealing the presence of the flavonoids astragalin and isoquercetin. Acute oral toxicity in mice did not result in deaths, although changes in liver weight and stool consistency were observed. EEMc demonstrated an antitussive effect at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg in mice subjected to cough induction by citric acid nebulization. Furthermore, it showed expectorant activity at a dose of 300 mg/kg, assessed based on the elimination of the phenol red marker in bronchoalveolar lavage. In the evaluation of antipyretic activity in rats, fever induced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was reduced at all doses tested during the first hour after treatment. This innovative study identified the presence of astragalin and isoquercetin in EEMc and indicated that the extract has antitussive, expectorant and antipyretic properties. Therefore, EEMc presents itself as a promising option in herbal medicine for the treatment of respiratory symptoms and fever.

Beta-lapachone: Natural occurrence, physicochemical properties, biological activities, toxicity and synthesis.

ß-Lapachone is an ortho-naphthoquinone originally isolated from the heartwood of Handroanthus impetiginosus and can be obtained through synthesis from lapachol, naphthoquinones, and other aromatic compounds. ß-Lapachone is well known to inhibit topoisomerase I and to induce NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1. Currently, phase II clinical trials are being conducted for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In view of ever-increasing scientific interest in this naphthoquinone, herein, the authors present a review of the synthesis, physicochemical properties, biological activities, and toxicity of ß-lapachone. This natural compound has shown activity against several types of malignant tumors, such as lung and pancreatic cancers and melanoma. Furthermore, this ortho-naphthoquinone has antifungal and antibacterial activities, underscoring its action against resistant microorganisms and providing anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, antioxidant, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, and wound-healing properties. ß-Lapachone presents low toxicity, with no signs of toxicity against alveolar macrophages, dermal fibroblast cells, hepatocytes, or kidney cells.