Evaluation of the relaxant action of some Brazilian medicinal plants in isolated guinea-pig ileum and rat duodenum.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to evaluate the possible antispasmodic activity in vitro of methanolic extracts (ME) of six Brazilian medicinal plants.


METHODS
The extracts were evaluated on isolated guinea-pig ileum and rat duodenum preparations.


RESULTS
Rubus imperialis, Maytenus robusta, Ipomoea pes caprae and Epidendrum mosenii did not inhibit the contractile response elicited by acetylcholine on guinea-pig ileum. On the other hand, ME from Calophyllum brasiliense and Cynara scolymus exhibited significant inhibitory activity for the contractile response elicited by acetylcholine on guinea-pig ileum and on rat duodenum in a noncompetitive and concentration-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study suggests that, of the six medicinal plants evaluated, only the ME of Calophyllum brasiliense and Cynara scolymus show probable antispasmodic activity, confirming and justifying their use in folk medicine for the treatment of intestinal disorders.
Emendörfer
Fernanda
F
Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Emendörfer
Fabiane
F
Bellato
Fernanda
F
Noldin
Vânia F
VF
Niero
Rivaldo
R
Cechinel-Filho
Valdir
V
Cardozo
Alcibia Maia
AM
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D029759:Calophyllum; D031943:Cynara scolymus; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004386:Duodenum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D010936:Plant Extracts