Abstract

This study concerns the discovery of the effectiveness of an alcoholic total extract of the aerial parts of the plant Anisotes trisulcus (Forssk.) Vahl family Acanthaceae and its active constituent peganine as a new means for suppression of tobacco intake and as a suppression to appetite (as anorexigenic). The treatment of Wistar rats with the total alcoholic extract in doses of 600 mg/100 mL drinking water decreased oral nicotine intake by 87.7% and food intake by 84.9%. The active constituent peganine in doses of 1.4 mg/mL drinking water decreased nicotine consumption by 79% and food intake by 77.8%. In other experiments in mice, the extract enhanced nicotine actions by more than 70% and mimicked nicotine in inducing intestinal stimulation in the isolated guinea-pig ileum. Peganine is hereby claimed to be a new deterrent for tobacco intake and as anorexigenic agent.

Key words: Peganine, Anisotes trisulcus, smoking deterrent, anorexigenic agent.

Abbreviation

MIC, minimum inhibitory concentrations; ED₅₀, effective dose 50 values; LD₅₀,lethal dose 50; ANOVA, analysis of variance.