Evaluation of the protective and ameliorative properties of Garcinia kola on histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs

BACKGROUND: Garcinia kola is popularly used in African traditional medicine for the relief of acute bronchoconstrictive episodes. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined the anti-asthmatic and morphological effects of the ethanol extract of G. kola in animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and then given doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg/day for 21 consecutive days. Theophylline (10 mg/kg/day) was used as a standard. At the end of the exposure, the animals were exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol in a chamber. Lymphocyte count, bronchial histology and morphometry were done. RESULTS: Compared with non-sensitized controls, 200 mg/kg/day dose of the extract significantly (P < 0.05) increased the time taken for onset of preconvulsive dyspnea while the dose of 400 mg/kg/day significantly (P < 0.01) reduced bronchial wall thickness. Lymphocytes counts were not significantly affected but the bronchi of extract-treated animals were histologically clearer of lesions visible in the sensitized. CONCLUSION: These protective and ameliorative properties lend credence to the use of G. kola in ethnomedicine.