Antitussive Activity of Alcoholic Extract of Piper longum Linn.

The l-phellandrene and caryophyllene found in Piper longum fruits are effective against a wide range of infections, including stomachic, bronchitis, spleen, cough, tumor, and asthma. This study reports preparing and characterizing alcohol-soluble extract of P. longum L. fruit powder. FTIR spectroscopy and TLC were used to characterize an alcoholic extract of P. longum. P. longum L. alcohol soluble extract was tested for its anti-tussive efficacy using the standard mouse cough model caused by ammonia liquor. Cough frequency was inhibited by 49.51% (Marketed formulation), 50.84% (Extract 100 mg/kg), 62.71% (Extract 200 mg/kg). Statistically significant (p <0.001) difference was observed in %inhibition of cough frequency of both doses of extract when compared with the marketed formulation. This study reveals an anti-tussive activity of alcohol soluble extract of P. longum L.