title: Pharmacological basis for the gut stimulatory activity of Raphanus sativus leaves.
abstract: The crude extract of Raphanus sativus leaves (Rl.Cr) showed a dose-dependent (0.03-5.0 mg/ml) spasmogenicity in guinea-pig ileum and colon. The effect was insensitive to atropine pre-treatment but was completely abolished by pyrilamine indicating involvement of histaminergic (H(1)) receptors. The contractile effect at high doses (3.0-5.0mg/ml) was followed by relaxation. Rl.Cr also enhanced the transit of charcoal meal in mice at 30-100 mg/kg. The petroleum spirit, chloroform and aqueous fractions all showed histaminergic activity in ileum; aqueous fraction being more potent. The study shows the presence of a histaminergic component(s) along with a weak spasmolytic factor thus providing sound mechanistic basis for the traditional use of the plant in constipation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. anwar.gilani@aku.edu
authors.forename: Anwarul Hassan
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.forename: M Nabeel
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ghayur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves; D031224:Raphanus
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts