Evaluation of Antitussive, Expectorant and Analgesic Activities of Aqueous Extracts of Di-herbal Formulation of Whole Plant of Euphobia hirta and Lactuca virosa Leaf on Rodents

Abstract

Euphorbia hirta and lactuca virosa are used to treat various ailment traditionally. This study aims at evaluating the antitussive, expectorant and analgesic effects of aqueous extracts of di-herbal formulation of Euphobia hirta and Lactuca virosa leaf. Citric acid induced, ammonia induced cough and phenol red dye secretion models were used. Hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing were used for analgesia. Combined 100mg/kg Euphorbia hirta and 50mg/kg lactuca virosa, 100mg/kg Euphorbia hirta and 100mg/kg lactuca virosa, 100mg/kg lactuca virosa only and 25 mg/kg of codeine phosphate reduces the number of cough bouts in the citric acid induced cough (P<0.05) compared to control. Combined 50mg/kg Euphorbia hirta and 100mg/kg lactuca virosa,100mg/kg Euphorbia hirta, 100mg/kg lactuca virosa and codeine phosphate reduces the number of cough bouts in the ammonia induced cough (P<0.001; P<0.0001) compared to the control. Combined 50mg/kg Euphorbia hirta and 100mg/kg lactuca virosa, 100mg/kg Euphorbia hirta and 50mg/kg lactuca virosa, 100mg/kg Euphorbia hirta and 100mg/kg lactuca virosa and 15mg/kg of Bromo-hexane increases the secretion of dye (P<0.0001; p<0.05) compared to control in phenol red dye secretion in mice. 100mg/kg Euphorbia hirta and 50mg/kg lactuca virosa,100mg/kg of Euphorbia hirta and 100mg/kg lactuca virosa and 3mg/kg Pentazocin increases the latency of pain threshold of mice (P<0.05). All the doses of the extract including 3mg/kg pentazocin increases the latency to pain threshold in the mice (P<0.001) after 2 hours. All the doses of the extract including aspirin reduces number of writhing (P<0.01). Euphorbia hirta and lactuca virosa has antitussive, expectorant and analgesic properties.