Influence of dry extract of gentiana algida on clinical course of experimental pneumonia

Aim. To assess the effect of dry extract of Gentiana algida in experimental bronchopneumonia of combined etiology. Methods. The experiments were conducted on 32 white Wistar rats (body weight of 180-200 g). The animals were divided in 4 groups, 8 animals each. Bronchopneumonia was caused by dichlorvos inhalations followed by pharyngeal contamination by Staphylococcus aureus (1 bln/ml). Dry extract of Gentiana algida was given intragastrically at a dose of 200 mg/kg once a day for 7 days to the study group rats. Control group rats received distilled water with the same regimen. Comparison group rats received 40 mg of alantonum known as a mucolytic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. The fourth group consisted of intact animals. The clinical course of the disease was assessed according to the clinical symptoms, peripheral blood count, O2 and CO2 partial blood pressure, lung tissue histological examination and lipid peroxidation processes intensity and antioxidant enzymes activity. Results. Treatment of experimental bronchopneumonia by dry extract of Gentiana algida at a dose of 200 mg/kg was associated with lower mortality, less severe clinical course, lower respiratory rate. Also, a statistically significant erythrocyte sedimentation rate and white blood cells count decrease was noted, indicating the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract. Partial arterial blood pressure of respiratory gases has normalized, indicating the lung ventilation improvement. The effect of dry extract of Gentiana algida according to the noted parameters was superior to alantonum used as a comparison drug. Anti-inflammatory effect of the tested plant extract might be a result of lipid peroxidation inhibition, confirmed by statistically significant decrease of the peroxidation products (malonic dialdehyde and conjugated dienes) and increase of antioxidant protection enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activity. Conclusion. Dry extract of Gentiana algida at a dose of 200 mg/kg has a positive effect in treatment of acute experimental bronchopneumonia, promoting the respiratory organs morphologic and functional status normalization in laboratory animals at the earlier stages of the disease.

experimental pneumonia, Gentiana algida dry extract