title: Characterization of the possible mechanisms underlying the hypotensive and spasmogenic effects of Loranthus ferrugineus methanolic extract.
abstract: In the present study, L. ferrugineus methanol extract (LFME) was evaluated for its blood pressure lowering effect in anesthetized normotensive Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and its spasmogenic effect in isolated guinea pig ileum. The possible mechanism(s) of action were also investigated. LFME was obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The rats were fasted overnight and anesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (60 mg/kg i.p.). LFME was administered in i.v. boluses in the concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively, with concomitant monitoring of mean arterial pressure (MAP). It was found that LFME dose-dependently reduced MAP. An i.v. bolus injection of atropine significantly decreased the blood pressure lowering effect of LFME. Similarly, L-NAME (Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) significantly lowered both the MAP and the action duration. Conversely, no significant change in MAP was seen following i.v. injections of neostigmine, hexamethonium, prazosin and propranolol. LFME also produced a dose-dependent contractile effect in guinea pig ileum. This contraction was significantly reduced in atropine pre-incubated tissue segments, yet it was significantly enhanced in the presence of neostigmine. No appreciable change in the ability of LFME to contract guinea pig ileum was seen in the presence of hexamethonium. Accordingly, it can be postulated that LFME possesses a marked hypotensive effect that can be attributed to stimulation of muscarinic receptors and/or stimulation of nitric oxide (NO) release. Moreover, LFME retains a considerable spasmogenic action due to its cholinergic properties. The hypotensive and spasmogenic effects of LFME justify its traditional uses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden 11800 Penang, Malaysia. omar_3m@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Omar Z
authors.initials: OZ
authors.lastname: Ameer
authors.forename: Ibrahim M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.forename: Mohammad Jamshed A
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Mun F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.forename: Raghava N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Sriramaneni
authors.forename: Amirin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadikun
authors.forename: Zhari
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Amin M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Mohamed Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Asmawi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D028183:Loranthaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010424:Pentobarbital; D000432:Methanol