Anti-spasmodic effects of Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf. extracts on isolated rat duodenum.
OBJECTIVE
The present study deals with the anti-spasmodic activity of the aqueous and the methanolic extracts of the leaves and the root barks of Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf. on male rats.


METHODS
This activity was assessed on contractions of isolated rat duodenum, induced by acetylcholine, KCl, and BaCl(2) and compared with the effect of atropine and papaverine.


RESULTS
Both extracts of leaves and root barks caused significant relaxation of spontaneous contractions and produced a concentration-dependent inhibition (P<0.01-0.001) of contraction induced by spasmogenic agents.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that Zizyphus lotus extracts contain anti-spasmodic constituents mediating their effect through cholinergic receptors and blockade Ca(2+) influx. This could explain the traditional use of Zizyphus lotus in the treatment of the intestinal diseases.
Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir 5000, Tunisia. wahida_b2002@yahoo.fr
Wahida
W
Borgi
Nabil
N
Chouchane
D000818:Animals; D004386:Duodenum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D031957:Ziziphus / Q000737:chemistry*
D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts