title: Pharmacological study of antispasmodic activity of Mirabilis jalapa Linn flowers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mirabilis jalapa Linn is a well-studied plant. The indigenous people of Mexico use Mirabilis jalapa to cure many infirmities including dysentery, diarrhea, muscular pain and abdominal colic. In the present investigation, we have further characterized some pharmacological properties of an extract of Mirabilis jalapa flowers; therefore, we intend to contribute to understand the pharmacological effects and clarify the complex use of this medicinal plant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract of Mirabilis jalapa (1-1000 mug/mL) exhibits an inhibitory effect (IC(50)=18+/-0.7 micorg/mL) on gut smooth muscle contractility whereas it stimulates the contraction of rabbit aortic muscle (EC(50)=11.60+/-0.26 micorg/mL) in a concentration-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These effects were not due to either ACh or HIS receptors blockage, IP(3), cAMP, cGMP, Ca(2+) release from intracellular storage, or protein kinase mediated contraction-relaxation mechanisms. The effects inducted by the Mirabilis jalapa extract may involve a serotoninergic mechanism, which, in turn, interacts with other adrenergic systems. Further studies are necessary to identify the active compounds within the extract and to elucidate the mechanism of action.
authors: Departamento Sistemas Biológicos, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Colonia Villa Quietud, C.P. 04960, México, D.F., Mexico. kaoki@correo.xoc.uam.mx
authors: Kazuko
authors: K
authors: Aoki
authors: Alma Rosa
authors: AR
authors: Cortés
authors: María Del Carmen
authors: Mdel C
authors: Ramírez
authors: Martín
authors: M
authors: Gómez-Hernández
authors: Francisco J
authors: FJ
authors: López-Muñoz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D035264:Flowers; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D039282:Mirabilis; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin