title: The relaxant actions of ethanolic extract of Tridax procumbens (Linn.) on rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle contraction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of Tridax procumbens aqueous ethanolic extract on the rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscles was evaluated in the present study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Corpus cavernosum strips obtained from healthy, young, adult male Wistar albino rats (250-300 g) were precontracted with phenylephrine (10-7 M) or KCl (60 mM) and then treated with various concentrations of T. procumbens extract (0.15-1.05 mg/mL). The change in corpus cavernosum strip tension was recorded. The interactions between T. procumbens extract with acetylcholine and with sodium nitroprusside were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that corpus cavernosum strips relaxation induced by T. procumbens extract was concentration-dependent and this was significant (p<0.5). Pre-treatment with a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (N(1) nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester, l-NAME), did not completely inhibit the relaxation. However, T. procumbens extract (0.6 mg/mL) significantly (p<0.5) enhanced both acetylcholine- and sodium nitroprusside-induced corpus cavernosum strips relaxation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RESULTS suggest that T. procumbens extract has a concentration-dependent relaxant effect on the isolated rat corpus cavernosum. The mechanism of action of T. procumbens extract is complex. A part of its relaxing effect is mediated directly by the release of NO from endothelium which may improve erectile dysfunction.
authors.forename: Hussein M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Salahdeen
authors.forename: Gbolahan O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Idowu
authors.forename: Omoniyi K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Yemitan
authors.forename: Babatunde A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Murtala
authors.forename: Abdul Rasak A
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Alada
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D009599:Nitroprusside; D010656:Phenylephrine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000431:Ethanol; D000109:Acetylcholine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester