title: Pharmacological basis for the use of Borago officinalis in gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated the crude extract of Borago officinalis leaves (Bo.Cr) for its antispasmodic, bronchodilator, vasodilator and cardio-depressant activities to rationalize some of the traditional uses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bo.Cr was studied using different isolated tissue preparations including rabbit jejunum, trachea, aorta, and guinea-pig atria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bo.Cr which was tested positive for flavonoids, coumarins, sterols and tannins produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and K+ (80mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, suggestive of Ca++ antagonist effect, which was confirmed when pretreatment of the tissue with Bo.Cr produced a rightward shift in the Ca++ concentration-response curves like that caused by verapamil. In rabbit tracheal preparations, Bo.Cr relaxed the carbachol (1microM) and K+-induced contractions. Verapamil also produced non-specific inhibitory effect. In rabbit aorta preparations, Bo.Cr exhibited vasodilator effect against phenylephrine and K+-induced contractions similar to verapamil. When tested in guinea-pig atria, Bo.Cr caused inhibition of both atrial force and rate of contractions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the spasmolytic effects of Bo.Cr are mediated possibly through Ca++ antagonist mechanism, which might explain the traditional use of Borago officinalis in hyperactive gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.
authors: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. anwar.gilani@aku.edu
authors: Anwarul Hassan
authors: AH
authors: Gilani
authors: Samra
authors: S
authors: Bashir
authors: Arif-ullah
authors: AU
authors: Khan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D029683:Borago; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D014700:Verapamil; D002118:Calcium