Sophorae Subprostratae Radix Extract for Prevention and Treatment of Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extract isolated from Sophorae Radix useful for prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical drug comprising the Sophorae Radix extract having excellent effects of inhibiting airway contraction, respiratory infections, 5-lipoxygenase activity, phosphodiesterase 4 activity, airway hyper-responsiveness and airway remodeling; antagonistic activity against leukotriene D 4 ; and an antitussive effect, thus being useful for prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, acute or chronic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, acute upper respiratory infections and acute lower respiratory infections, and the like.

1 . A pharmaceutical drug for prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases comprising Sophorae Radix extract as an active ingredient. 
     
     
         2 . The pharmaceutical drug according to  claim 1 , wherein said Sophorae Radix extract is prepared by extracting Sophorae Radix with water or an alcohol solution followed by purifying with water-saturated low-grade alcohol or a nonpolar solvent. 
     
     
         3 . The pharmaceutical drug according to  claim 1 , wherein said Sophorae Radix extract is prepared by extracting Sophorae Radix with water or water-saturated low-grade alcohol or a nonpolar solvent followed by purification using the same. 
     
     
         4 . The pharmaceutical drug according to  claim 2 , wherein said low-grade alcohol has carbon atoms of from 1 to 6 and said nonpolar solvent is ethylacetate, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride or methylethylketone. 
     
     
         5 . The pharmaceutical drug according to  claim 1 , wherein said respiratory diseases are asthma, acute or chronic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, acute upper respiratory infection and acute lower respiratory infection. 
     
     
         6 . The pharmaceutical drug according to  claim 1 , wherein said respiratory diseases are caused by airway contraction, respiratory infection, 5-lipoxygenase, phosphodiesterase 4, airway hyper-responsiveness or airway remodeling, leukotriene D4, and antitussive effect. 
     
     
         7 . The pharmaceutical drug according to  claim 3 , wherein said low-grade alcohol has carbon atoms of from 1 to 6 and said nonpolar solvent is ethylacetate, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride or methylethylketone.