title: Antispasmodic, bronchodilator, vasorelaxant and cardiosuppressant effects of Buxus papillosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present research was carried out to investigate pharmacological properties of Buxus papillosa C.K. Schneid. (Buxaceae).
  
  
  METHODS
  Buxus papillosa extracts of leaves (BpL), stem (BpS), roots (BpR) and BpL fractions: hexane (BpL-H), aqueous (BpL-A) also plant constituent, cyclomicrobuxine effect were studied in jejunum, atria, aorta and tracheal preparations from rabbit and guine-peg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ca++antagonistic effect of BpS, BpR, BpL-H, BpL-A and cyclomicrobuxine were conclusively suggested, when spontaneous contractions of rabbit jejunal preparation was relaxed along with subsequent relaxation of potassium chloride (80 mM) induced contractions. Ca++antagonistic effect was further confirmed, when a prominent right shift like that of verapamil was observed in Ca++concentration-response curves, drawn in a tissue pretreated with BpL (0.3-1.0 mg/mL). In rabbit tracheal tissues BpL, BpS, BpR, BpL-H and BpL-A produced a prominent relaxation in contractions induced by potassium chloride (80 mM) and carbachol (1 μm). When tested in rabbit aortic rings, BpL, BpS, BpR, BpL-H and BpL-A showed concentration-dependent (0.1-3.0 mg/mL) vasorelaxant effect against phenylephrine (1 μM) and high K+-induced contractions. In isolated guinea-pig right atria, BpL, BpS, BpR, BpL-H and BpL-A suppressed atrial force of spontaneous contractions, with BpL-A being most potent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results reveal that Buxus papillosa possesses gut, airways and cardiovascular inhibitory actions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan. arif.ullah@riphah.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Arif-Ullah
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Shamsher
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan. anwar.gilani@aku.edu.|Pakistan Council of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. anwar.gilani@aku.edu.
authors.forename: Anwarul-Hassan
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Dir (L), Pakistan.
authors.forename: Manzoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, H EJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Iqbal
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Choudhary
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031235:Buxus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C408674:cyclomicrobuxine; D011280:Pregnanolone
keywords: Antispasmodic; Bronchodilator; Buxus papillosa; Ca++ antagonist; Cardio-depressant; Vasodilator