Galphimia glauca organic fraction antagonizes LTD(4)-induced contraction in guinea pig airways.

Galphimia glauca is used for the treatment of asthma and allergies in Latin American traditional medicine. The ethylacetate fraction from its aerial parts was assayed for bronchoconstriction induced by antigen and several agonists in guinea pig tracheae. The organic fraction significantly inhibited the contractile response to ovalbumin in tracheae from sensitized guinea pigs, and significantly and selectively inhibited the bronchoconstriction induced by leukotriene D(4) (LTD(4)). The relative potency of the ethylacetate fraction of G. glauca to produce a concentration-dependent rightward shift of LTD(4) concentration-response curve was similar to that reported for SK&F 104353, a well-known competitive LTD(4)-antagonist.