Coriander fruit exhibits gut modulatory, blood pressure lowering and diuretic activities.
OBJECTIVE
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is traditionally used for various gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders and this study was designed to rationalize its use in dyspepsia, abdominal colic, diarrhea, hypertension and as diuretic.


METHODS
Coriander crude extract (Cs.Cr) was evaluated through in vitro and in vivo techniques.


RESULTS
Cs.Cr caused atropine sensitive stimulatory effect in isolated guinea-pig ileum (0.1-10 mg/ml). In rabbit jejunum preparations, Cs.Cr evoked a similar contractile response but in the presence of atropine, it exhibited relaxation against both spontaneous and high K(+) (80 mM)-induced contractions as well as shifted the Ca(2+) concentration-response curves to right, similar to that caused by verapamil. Cs.Cr (1-30 mg/ml) caused fall in arterial blood pressure of anesthetized animals, partially blocked by atropine. Cs.Cr produced vasodilatation against phenylephrine and K(+) (80 mM)-induced contractions in rabbit aorta and cardio-depressant effect in guinea-pig atria. Cs.Cr produced diuresis in rats at 1-10mg/kg. Bio-assay-directed fractionation revealed the separation of spasmogenic and spasmolytic components in the aqueous and organic fractions respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that coriander fruit exhibits gut stimulatory, inhibitory and hypotensive effects mediating possibly through cholinergic, Ca(2+) antagonist and the combination of these mechanisms respectively. Diuretic activity adds value to its use in hypertension.
Jabeen
Qaiser
Q
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
Bashir
Samra
S
Lyoussi
Badiaa
B
Gilani
Anwar H
AH
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D028526:Coriandrum; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005638:Fruit; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents