Preliminary studies on the hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl in guinea‐pig tracheal strips and bronchoalveolar leucocytes

The aqueous fraction of the ethanol extract of the root of Cissampelos sympodialis , reduced the spontaneous tone, and inhibited the contractions induced by submaximal concentrations of carbachol, histamine, prostaglandin F 2α and substance P, in guinea‐pig tracheal preparations. The fraction was approximately equipotent to aminophyl‐line and the IC 50 values of the above agents varied from 13.9 to 95.5 μg/mL, depending on the agonist used. In concentrations ranging from 1–100 μg/mL, the fraction also increased the intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in guinea‐pig bronchoalveolar leucocytes. It is proposed that the combined effects on smooth muscles and on leucocytes indicate a pharmacological basis for the use of the plant in asthma.