Antitussive, expectorant, and bronchodilating effects of quinazoline alkaloids (+/-)-vasicine; deoxyvasicine, and (+/-)-vasicinone from aerial parts of Peganum harmala L

摘要

Background: The aerial parts of Peganum harmala L. (APP) is a well-known and effective herbal medicine in China, and has been commonly used for treating various ailments, including cough and asthma. Objectives: To evaluate the antitussive, expectorant, and bronchodilating effects of the quinazoline alkaloids (+/-)-vasicine (VAS), deoxyvasicine (DVAS) (both isolated from the alkaloid fraction of APP) and (+/-)-vasicinone (VAO) (synthesized from VAS).