Antitussive, Expectorant, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Mahwangyounpae-tang, a Polyherbal Formula in ICR Mice

Abstract

Objectives: The antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory effects of Mahwangyounpae-tang (MHYPT) aqueous extracts were observed in appropriate animal models of various respiratory disorders.Methods: MHYPT aqueous extracts were orally administered once a day for 11 days at dose levels of 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg. The effect of MHYPT was determined by comparing its antitussive effect with theobromine (TB), its expectorant effect with ambroxol (AM), and its anti-inflammatory effect with dexamethasone (DEXA).Results: MHYPT aqueous extracts (400 mg/kg) showed favorable antitussive effects comparable to those of TB (50 mg/kg) in the NH₄OH-exposure coughing mouse model and expectorant effects comparable to those of AM (250 mg/kg) in the phenol red-secretion mouse model, but MHYPT (400 mg/kg) showed less anti-inflammatory activity compared to DEXA (1 mg/kg) in the xylene-induced acute inflammatory mouse ear model under the experimental conditions used.Conclusion: MHYPT aqueous extracts administered at dosage levels of 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg induced dose-dependent and favorable antitussive, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory activities that occurred by simultaneous modulation of the activity of mast cells and respiratory mucous production under the experimental conditions used in this study.