title: Pharmacological studies on the antispasmodic, bronchodilator and anti-platelet activities of Abies webbiana.
abstract: This study evaluated the antispasmodic, bronchodilator and anti-platelet activities of Abies webbiana to rationalize some of its folk uses in gut and airways disorders and inflammation. The crude extract of A. webbiana (Aw.Cr) caused a complete relaxation of both spontaneous and K(+) (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent manner. Aw.Cr shifted the Ca(++) concentration-response curves (CRCs) to the right, in a fashion similar to verapamil, confirming its Ca(++) channel blocking (CCB) effect. In isolated rabbit tracheal preparations, it caused relaxation of carbachol (1 μM) and K(+) (80 mM)-induced contractions comparable to verapamil suggesting that the bronchodilatory effect may possibly be mediated through CCB activity. Aw.Cr was found to be the inhibitor of both ADP- and epinephrine-induced aggregation of human platelets thereby suggesting therapeutic potential in this plant against thrombo-embolic conditions. The exhibited anti-platelet effect was observed at low doses against epinephrine as compared to ADP. This study confirmed the presence of spasmolytic activity in Abies webbiana through possible blockade of Ca(++) channels providing evidence for its folkloric use in gut and respiratory disorders in addition to anti-platelet activity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mamoona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasin
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hussain Janbaz
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Imran
authors.forename: Anwar-ul-Hassan
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.forename: Samra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bashir
mesh_terms: D028202:Abies / Q000737:chemistry*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D002217:Carbachol; D014700:Verapamil
keywords: Abies webbiana; anti-platelet; calcium antagonist; gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders