title: Inhibition of porcine detrusor contractility by the flavonoid fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum--a potential phytotherapeutic drug for the treatment of the overactive bladder syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the phytotherapeutic agent, Bryophyllum pinnatum, could serve as an alternative drug for the overactive bladder syndrome, and to characterise the fraction responsible for the inhibition of detrusor contractility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fractions were prepared from the MeOH extract of B. pinnatum and further analysed by HPLC-PDA-MS. Detrusor muscle strips were prepared from porcine bladders and the electrically induced muscle contractility measured by organ bath. The effect of B. pinnatum leaf press juice (2.5-10%), a flavonoid fraction (0.1-1 mg/ml), and a bufadienolide fraction (0.1-40 μg/ml) on detrusor contractility was assessed and compared with controls (polar fraction (0.5-5 mg/ml) and oxybutynin (10(-8)-10(-6) M)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The press juice, at a concentration of 10% led to a reduction of detrusor contractility. Bladder strips treated with the flavonoid fraction showed a significant reduction of the contractility to 21.3 ± 5.2% (1 mg/ml) while the bufadienolide fraction had no inhibitory effect in the investigated concentrations. The polar fraction showed a reduction of the contractility in a pH-dependent fashion. At 10(-6) M concentration oxybutynin reduced the detrusor contractility to 21.9 ± 4.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The flavonoid fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum reduces the porcine detrusor contractility in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Fractions from B. pinnatum may be a new pharmacological approach for the treatment of OAB.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Fürer
authors: Urology Clinic, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Eberli
authors: Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Betschart
authors: Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Brenneisen
authors: Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: De Mieri
authors: Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hamburger
authors: Weleda AG, CH-4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mennet-von Eiff
authors: Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Potterat
authors: Weleda AG, CH-4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Schnelle
authors: Research Department, Paracelsus Hospital Richterswil, CH-8805 Richterswil, Switzerland.
authors: A P
authors: AP
authors: Simões-Wüst
authors: Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: ursula.vonmandach@usz.ch.
authors: U
authors: U
authors: von Mandach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002018:Bufanolides / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D031962:Kalanchoe / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013552:Swine; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D002018:Bufanolides; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum; Detrusor muscle; Flavonoids; Muscle contractility; Muscle relaxation; Overactive bladder