title: Neurophysiological effects of mistletoe (Viscum album L.) on isolated rat intestines.
abstract: Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) is well known as a medicine from ancient times and the earliest notes. Today it is used as a remedy. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of mistletoe extracts and their components on some neurophysiological parameters in rat intestines. The tonus and contractile responses of isolated intestinal segments (duodenum, ileum and distal colon) were analysed. The experiment was carried out in three groups. In the first group (control group) different concentrations of acetylcholine were added into the organ bath (10-50 nmol/L). In the second group, mistletoe extracts were added into the organ bath with increasing concentrations and in the third group, atropine, a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, was added into the organ bath (concentration 10(-7) mol/L) and after atropine plant extracts were administered. The results obtained suggest that extracts from different parts of mistletoe have neurophysiological effects and change intestinal contractions. The results also suggest that the effects of mistletoe extracts on intestinal contractility act via cholinergic pathways, activating muscarinic receptors in the intestines. However, in order to establish the subtype of receptors, further investigations are necessary where selective antagonists of muscarinic cholinergic receptors should be used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Serbia and Montenegro.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radenkovic
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ivetic
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Popovic
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mimica-Dukic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veljkovic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D018547:Plant Stems; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D028182:Viscum album
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts