Effects of Aqueous Quassia amara L. (Korales) Leaf Extract on the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Functions of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

Objective. To To evaluate potential effects of the aqueous extract of Quassia amara L. leaves on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of adult male Sprague- Dawley rats.

Methods. The cardiovascular and respiratory effects of the Quassia amara L. leaf extract on adult male SpragueDawley rats were assessed using non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) determination and head-out plethysmography, respectively, in a randomized, parallel group study. Mean observations of blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at different time periods after dosing. Respiratory flow and irritation effects were evaluated using mean observations of respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), mid-expiratory flow rate (EF50), time of inspiration (TI) and expiration (TE), and time of break (TB) and pause (TP).

Results. There were no significant differences among the control and the treatment groups in SBP, DBP and HR parameters. The extract showed statistically significant effect on mean RR by time period (F=2.45, p=0.0234), trends over time of TV among the dose groups (F=2.00, p=0.0202), and EF50 among dose groups ((F=3.11, p=0.0422). However, these did not correlate with the changes in the time of break (TB) and time of pause (TP) which are more sensitive and specific tests for respiratory irritation.

Conclusion. Aqueous leaf extract of Quassia appeared to have no significant effects on SBP, DPB, Pulse pressure, and HR. There are no conclusive dose-related respiratory flow or pulmonary irritation effects.