Comparative study on the content determination and the anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory effects of the total alkaloids of Pingbeimu and Chuanbeimu

Objectives: To compare the anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory effects of the total alkaloids of the new and old varieties of Pingbeimu and Chuanbeimu, and to explore the feasibility of Pingbeimu as a new candidate source of Chuanbeimu.Methods: The total alkaloids of varieties of Beimu were extracted by reflux, the alkaloid contents were determined by the UV spectrophotometry, the pharmacodynamic effects of the total alkaloids of varieties of Beimu on the ammonia-stimulated mouse cough model and the xylene-induced mouse ear edema model were compared. The cough and swelling inhibition rates of the total alkaloids were cluster-analyzed.Results: The line of the alkaloids contents went from wild Taibaibeimu, Pingbeimu and Qingbei to Songbei and then down to Lubei and finally to cultivated Taibaibeimu. The total alkaloids of the three old varieties and cultivated Taibaibeimu could significantly reduce the coughing number of the ammonia-stimulated mouse cough model and the old varieties possessed better effect than Pingbeimu and the new variety. The total alkaloids of Songbei and Qingbei could obviously prolong the coughing incubation period. The total alkaloids of Songbei and Pingbeimu could significantly reduce the xylene-induced mouse ear inflammation swelling degree and Pingbeimu had better anti-inflammatory effect. Cluster analysis showed that the cough and swelling inhibition rates of the old varieties were clustered into those of Taibaibeimu but separated from those of Pingbeimu, which showed that the total alkaloids of Pingbeimu were different from Chuanbeimu. Conclusion: The composition and the anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory effects of Pingbeimu were diffenent from that of Chuanbeimu, Pingbeimu, as a new candidate source of Chuanbeimu deserved further study.