Pharmacological study of antispasmodic activity of Mirabilis jalapa Linn flowers.
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.
Aoki
Kazuko
K
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
Cortés
Alma Rosa
AR
Ramírez
María Del Carmen
Mdel C
Gómez-Hernández
Martín
M
López-Muñoz
Francisco J
FJ
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
D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin