title: Morinda lucida reduces contractility of isolated uterine smooth muscle of pregnant and non-pregnant mice.
abstract: The present work investigated the effect of Morinda lucida (M. lucida) extract on isolated uterine smooth muscle of pregnant and non-pregnant mice. Pregnant and non-pregnant mice were pretreated with oral stilboesterol (0.1 mg/kg body weight) and killed by cervical dislocation. Thin strips of the uterus were cut and mounted in a 20 ml organ bath containing De Jalon solution bubbled with 95%O2-5% CO2 gas mixture. The strips were connected to a force transducer coupled to a Grass 7D Polygraph for the recording of isometric tension. Effects of graded concentrations of oxytocin (OXY; 10-5-10-2 mol/L), acetylcholine (ACh; 10-9-10-5 mol/L) and M. lucida extract (0.015-1.5 mg/ml) were recorded. Fresh uterine strips were then incubated with M. lucida extract for 5 mins and cumulative response to OXY was repeated. Another set of fresh strips was incubated in L-NAME for 15 mins and the cumulative responses to M.lucida extract were repeated. OXY resulted in increased contractile responses in both pregnant and non-pregnant uterine muscles. M. lucida resulted in relaxation of the uterine smooth muscle in both pregnant and non-pregnant mice at all doses. However, at 1.5mg/ml, M. lucida completely blocked spontaneous uterine contractions. Following incubation with L-NAME, M. lucida extract led to a slightly greater relaxation of the uterine strips. In conclusion, M. lucida reduced contractility of uterine smooth muscle in both pregnant and non-pregnant mice as well as blocking contractile responses to OXY and Ach in uterine smooth muscle of pregnant and non-pregnant mice. There was no significant alteration of M. lucida activity by L-NAME suggesting that the action of the compound on uterine muscle is not associated with impaired nitric oxide synthase.
authors: Departments of Physiology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. soelias2@yahoo.co.uk
authors: S O
authors: SO
authors: Elias
authors: C O
authors: CO
authors: Ladipo
authors: B P
authors: BP
authors: Oduwole
authors: P M
authors: PM
authors: Emeka
authors: P D
authors: PD
authors: Ojobor
authors: O A
authors: OA
authors: Sofola
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D032066:Morinda / Q000737:chemistry; D009213:Myography; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011247:Pregnancy; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010120:Oxytocics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010121:Oxytocin; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000109:Acetylcholine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester