title: Leaf extract of Caesalpinia bonduc Roxb. (Caesalpiniaceae) induces an increase of contractile force in rat skeletal muscle in situ.
abstract: The pharmacological properties of Caesalpinia bonduc Roxb. (Caesalpiniaceae) are not well known, but it is used traditionally to treat snake bite (Bellomaria and Kacou, 1995; Schaffner, 1997). In the present study, the mechanism through which Caesalpinia bonduc extract (Cebo) affects gallamine-induced relaxation in rat tibial muscle contractility were studied via measurement of isometric-tension-anesthetized, 10-12-week-old, male rats. Isometric twitch contractions of the indirectly-stimulated anterior tibia muscle of the right hindleg were recorded in situ. Cebo administered intravenously (i.v.) increased twitch contractions in a dose-dependent manner. The ED50 value is 2.75 x 10(-4) g/kg body wt. Similar results were obtained using the anticholinesterase neostigmine. In contrast, gallamine (a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant) or the venom of the puff adder Bitis arietans reduced the force of contraction. Treatment with Cebo or neostigmine, however, reversed the relaxation induced by either gallamine or puff adder venom. In conclusion, Cebo stimulates the muscle contractile activity, an effect which may be due to an activation of the cholinergic mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Nutrition and Pharmacologie, Dept BA-PA, UFR-Biosciences, Cocody University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. dattejy@gmx.net
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Datté
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Yapo
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Kouamé-Koffi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kati-Coulibaly
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Amoikon
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Offoumou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029911:Caesalpinia; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017819:Viperidae
chemical_list: D004546:Elapid Venoms; D010936:Plant Extracts