Study on the Antitussive,Expectorant and Antispasmodic Effects of Saponin V from Momordica grosvenori

OBJECTIVE To screen the fractions and constituents of antitussive,expectorant and antispasmodic effects from Momordica grosvenori.METHODS By counting the times and observing the latent period of cough induced by ammonia solution of mice,the antussive effect of the water soluble fraction,50% alcohol soluble fraction and 95% alcohol soluble fraction of Momordica grosvenori were studied.By determining the content of Phenol red in the trachea excretion of mice and by recording the intensity of contraction induced by histamine of isolated ileum and trachea of guinea pig,the expectorant and antispasmodic effects of saponin Ⅴ were further observed.RESULTS The decoction of Momordica grosvenori(50 g·kg-1),50% alcohol soluble fraction(50 g·kg-1),and saponin Ⅴ(300,150,75 mg·kg-1) significantly decreased the times of cough.Furthermore,50% alcohol soluble fraction 50 g·kg-1 and saponin Ⅴ 300 mg·kg-1 remarkably increased cough latent period.Saponin Ⅴ 150 mg·kg-1 significantly increased the secretion of phenol red of trachea of mice.Saponin Ⅴ 5 g·L-1 remarkably antagonized contraction of isolated ileum,saponin Ⅴ 2.5 and 1.25 g·L-1 antagonized trachea spasm in guinea pig induced by histamine.CONCLUSION Saponin Ⅴexhibits significant antitussive,expectorant and antispasmodic effects,indicating that saponin Ⅴ is a dominant active constituent of Momordica grosvenori.