title: Mechanisms of the contractile effect of the alcoholic extract of Aegle marmelos Corr. on isolated guinea pig ileum and tracheal chain.
abstract: In the present work, the effect of the alcoholic extract of the leaves of Aegle marmelos Corr. on guinea pig isolated ileum and tracheal chain was investigated, as this plant is used traditionally to treat asthma and related afflictions. These effects were investigated using the isolated organ bath method. 1 mg/ml and 2mg/ml doses of the alcoholic extract of this plant produced a positive relaxant effect in isolated guinea pig ileum and tracheal chain, respectively. In addition, they antagonized the contractions, which are produced by histamine. Because the alcoholic extracts elicited the antagonistic effect against histamine and also relaxed the histamine-induced contractions, it can be concluded that relaxations induced by A. marmelos in both guinea pig ileum and tracheal chain were due to the depression of H1-receptors. Since we observed a complete relaxation of the guinea pig ileum and tracheal chain produced by the extract, we investigated its antagonistic effect against histamine. These results were due to the presence of one or more anti-histaminic constituents present in the alcoholic extract of this plant, therefore supporting to the traditional use of A. marmelos in asthmatic complaints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr ALM Post-Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. v_arul@hotmail.com
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arul
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dhananjayan
mesh_terms: D045471:Aegle / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D010936:Plant Extracts