title: Effect of aqueous extract of Commiphora opobalsamum on blood pressure and heart rate in rats.
abstract: The cardiovascular effects of aqueous extracts from the branches of Commiphora opobalsamum tree were investigated. The intravenous administration of 4 mg/kg of the aqueous extract depressed systemic arterial blood pressure by 20% (P < 0.01) and reduced heart rate of anaesthetised rats by 14% (P < 0.05). The hypotensive and the bradycardiac effects were immediate and in a dose related manner. The hypotensive effect of C. opobalsamum was inhibited by the pretreatment with atropine sulfate (1-4 mg/kg). These results suggest that the hypotensive effect of C. opobalsamum is due to the activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors.
authors.affiliation: Biology and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Abdul-Ghani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D014867:Water; D001285:Atropine