RESEARCH OF THE EXPECTANT ACTIVITY OF THICK EXTRACTS OF ANGELICA MEDICINAL

Abstract

Introduction. Angelica medicinal ((Angelica archangelica L.; Archangelica officinalis (Moench.) Hoffm.)) is a biennial herbaceous plant from the celery family (Apiaceae), which is widespread in Europe, Asia, and North America. In Ukraine, this species grows in the Forested areas, Pre Carpathians, and the Forest-Steppe. Angelica is widely used in both traditional and evidence-based medicine of many countries as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, diaphoretic and sedative agent. Experimental pharmacological studies have proven the anti-asthmatic, anti-proliferative, radioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic, diuretic, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antihistamine, cytotoxic, antiviral and antifungal potential of angelica.

The aim of the study – to experimentally investigate the expectorant activity of thick extracts obtained from underground organs and from the leaves of angelica.

Research Methods. The study of the expectorant properties of thick extracts of angelica was carried out in two different experiments, based on the results of which the secretory activity and motor ability of the bronchi were evaluated. “Gedelix” syrup, which has a secretolytic, mucolytic and antispasmodic effect (manufacturer Krevel Moiselbach GmbH, Germany) was chosen as the reference drug. The researched thick extracts from the leaves (TELA) and from the rhizomes and roots of the medicinal angelica (TERA) in a dose of 100 and 150 mg/kg and the comparison drug – "Gedelix" syrup at a rate of 100 mg/kg were administered orally to male mice weighing 18–20 g.

Results and Discussion. The studied extract of the underground organs of Angelica showed a fairly high abi­lity to secrete sputum. Thus, TERAin a dose of 150 mg/kg had the highest ability to secrete sputum, which was 203.9 % (in the reference drug “Gedelix” syrup, this activity was 257.7 %). TELA in doses of 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg showed a slightly lower secretory capacity, and it was 2 times less than the activity of the reference drug “Gedelix” syrup (111.5 % and 115.4 % vs. 257.7 %). The greatest activity in reducing the time of advancement of poppy seeds along the ciliated epithelium of the trachea of rats in relation to the control was shown by “Gedelix” syrup in a dose of 100 mg in terms of ivy extract, which was 33.4 %. Of the studied subjects, TERA at a dose of 150 mg per 250 ml of incubation mixture (22.5 %) showed a slightly lower activity compared to the reference drug in reducing the time of poppy seed movement along the ciliated epithelium of the trachea of rats, the lowest activity was TELA at a dose of 100 mg, which was 5.9 %.

Conclusions. Studies of the expectorant effect of thick extracts of angelica from leaves and from rhizomes and roots in terms of their effect on the motor activity of the ciliated epithelium and the secretory function of the bronchi showed that in terms of this effect, the activity of the studied extracts was not significantly inferior to the activity of the comparison drug – Gedelix syrup. It was established that the expectorant activity of the thick extract from the rhizomes and roots of angelica medicinal prevailed over the expectorant activity of the thick extract from the leaves.