Effect of Garcinia Conrauana Ingestion in Adult Nigerian Asthmatics

Abstract

In the light of the widespread use of Garcinia Conrauana (popularly known as ‘bitter kola') in the treatment of various respiratory tract diseases, including asthma, in traditional African medicine practice, the effect of its ingestion on airway reactivity was assessed in 162 asthmatic adult males and females, using Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) measurement as the index of change. There were fluctuations in PEFR with respect to age in the subjects. Garcinia Conrauana ingestion resulted in a mild increase in PEFR, and hence a fall in airway resistance, in the asthmatic males, but a mild reduction in PEFR in the asthmatic females at 60 minutes and 90 minutes after its ingestion. Garcinia Conrauana ingestion causes a mild improvement in airflow in asthma adult males, 1hr to 1.5 hrs after its ingestion, but it may not do that in asthmatic adult females.


KEY WORDS: Garcinia Conrauana, PEFR, Asthmatic adults.


Nig. Jnl Health & Biomed. Sciences Vol.3(1) 2004: 24-27