title: Calcium antagonistic activity of Bacopa monniera in guinea-pig trachea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the calcium antagonistic property of ethanol extract of Bacopa monniera in guinea-pig trachea.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dose response curves of CaCl(2) (1 × 10(-5) to 1 × 10(-1) M) were constructed in the absence and presence of ethanol extract of Bacopa monniera (100, 500 and 700 μg/ml) or nifedipine (1 × 10(-6) M) in guinea-pig trachea in calcium free high K(+)-MOPS-PSS (3-(N-morpholino)-propanesulphonic acid physiological salt solution). The data was analyzed by ANOVA followed by least significant difference test or by Student's 't' test for unequal variance when appropriate. A probability of at least P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plant extract (500 and 700 μg/ml) significantly (P < 0.05) depressed and shifted the calcium concentration-response curves (1 × 10(-3)- 1 × 10(-1) M) to rightward similar to that of nifedipine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bacopa monniera extract exhibited calcium channel blocking activity in guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscles that may rationalize its relaxant action on guinea-pig trachea and its traditional use in respiratory disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shabana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Channa
authors.forename: Ahsana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D034681:Bacopa; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Bacopa monniera; calcium channel antagonist; smooth muscle relaxation