Effect of fumarprotocetraric acid isolated the Lichen Cladonia verticillaris on tracheobronchial phenol red excretion in mice

The lichen Cladonia verticillaris is very common in the northeast of Brazil. It has as essential biologically active secondary metabolites the fumarprotocetraric (FUM) and protocetraric acid. Similar chemical composition is found in Cetraria islandica used in Turkish folk medicine for treatment of bronchitis and tuberculosis. This study shows the effect of FUM isolated from C. verticillaris on tracheobronchial phenol red excretion in mice. FUM administered by oral gavage (50 and 100mg/kg) or intraperitoneally (25 and 50mg/kg) and Ambroxol (1mg/kg) were administrated in male Swiss mice (n=6 animals/group) thirty minutes before the administration of phenol red (200mg/kg; i.p.). Administration of vehicle (solution saline 0.9%) was used as control. Sixty minutes after the dye injection, the mice were euthanized and a bronchial lavage (BL) was realized with saline. The lavage fluid was mixed with NaOH 0,01N, and the quantification of phenol red in BL was analysed photometrically at 535nm. The expectorant effect was determined by comparing the phenol red concentration (mg/mL) in BL of treated and control group. It was shown that oral gavage (50mg/kg and 100mg/kg) or intraperitoneal (25 and 50mg/kg) administration of FUM increased phenol red excretion in BL in a dose-dependent manner in comparison to control group (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between phenol red excretion in the BL after Intraperitoneal (3.2±0.38µg/ml) or oral gavage (4.0±0.68µg/ml) administration of the same dose (50mg/kg). The results suggest that expectorants action of FUM is not mediated by a vagal reflex initiated by stimulation of the gastric mucosa following oral administration.

Keywords: Cladonia verticillaris, fumarprotocetraric acid, excretion

Acknowledgement: CAPES

References: [1] Dülger B et al. (1998) TJB 22:11–118.

[2] Santos N. P, et al. (1997) RUASCB 1(2): 23–43.