Khalid Hussain Janbaz

The study was conducted to provide the ethnopharmacological bases of the crude extract of seed pods of Ceratonia siliqua in the gastrointestinal spasm, diarrhea and emesis. In segregated rabbit jejunum, it showed dose-dependent (0.01-10 mg/mL) relaxation of spontaneous as well as carbachol (1 µM)-induced contraction. Pre-treatment of segregated rat ileum with C. siliqua, significantly (p<0.0001) suppressed the carbachol (1 µM)-induced contraction similar to atropine (1 µM). These results indicated that C. siliqua possesses spasmolytic activity through possible blockage of muscarinic receptor in jejunum preparations. Furthermore, the crude extract inhibited the castor oil-induced diarrhea, charcoal meal propulsion in mice and copper sulfate-induced retches in chicks in a dose-dependent manner (100, 200, 300 mg/kg). These in vitro and in vivo results indicate that C. siliqua possesses the spasmolytic and antidiarrheal activities mediated possibly through blockage of muscarinic receptors. Thus, this study provides a rationale for its folkloric use.Video Clip of Methodology:12 min 42 sec Full Screen Alternate

In order to rationalize the traditional uses of Asphodelus tenuifolius in cardiovascular complaints, aqueous-ethanol extract of the plant was investigated for hypotensive and diuretic activities using in vivo and in vitro models. Intravenous administration of the extract in anesthetized rats produced 14.5 (95% CI; 13.3–15.6), 24.5 (95% CI; 21.3-27.9) and 35.3% (95% CI; 32.0–42.5) fall in mean arterial blood pressure at the doses of 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. The extract increased the urine volume and electrolytes excretion significantly at the doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg in rats. In rabbit’s isolated aorta preparations, the extract, like verapamil, relaxed K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions more potently than phenylephrine (1 µM)–induced contractions, indicating Ca2+ antagonistic activity. The extract produced dose-dependent stimulant followed by depressant effects in spontaneously contracting rabbit’s paired atria preparations. The results suggest that the extract of A. tenuifolius has hypotensive and diuretic effects in animals.

Background: Heliotropium strigosum Willd. (Chitiphal) is a medicinally important herb that belongs to the Boraginaceae family. Traditionally, this plant was used in the medication therapy of various ailments in different populations of the world. The aim of the study is to probe the therapeutic aspects of H. strigosum described in the traditional folklore history of medicines. Methods: In the present study, the dichloromethane crude extract of this plant was screened to explore the antimicrobial, cytotoxic, phytotoxic and antioxidant potential of H. strigosum. For antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities, microplate alamar blue assay (MABA), agar tube dilution method and diphenyl picryl hydrazine (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay were used, respectively. The cytotoxic and phytotoxic potential were demonstrated by using brine shrimp lethality bioassay and Lemna minor assay. Results: The crude extract displayed positive cytotoxic activity in the brine shrimp lethality assay, with 23 of 30 shrimps dying at the concentration of 1000 µg/mL. It also showed moderate phytotoxic potential with percent inhibition of 50% at the concentration of 1000 µg/mL. The crude extract exhibited no significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Non-significant antifungal and radical scavenging activity was also shown by the dichloromethane crude extract. Conclusion: It is recommended that scientists focus on the identification and isolation of beneficial bioactive constituents with the help of advanced scientific methodologies that seems to be helpful in the synthesis of new therapeutic agents of desired interest.

Viola odorata is traditionally used in the management of gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular disorders. The present study was undertaken to validate its folkloric uses. The application of V. odorata to spontaneous contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparation exerted relaxant effect through decrease in magnitude and frequency of contractions. Moreover, it also caused relaxation of K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions and shifted the Ca2+ concentration response curves toward right in isolated jejunum similar to verapamil (standard Ca2+ channel blocker), confirming Ca2+ channel blocking activity. V. odorata also caused relaxation of carbachol (1 µM)- and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit tracheal preparations comparable to verapamil, reflecting that observed relaxant effect may be the outcome of anti-muscarinic and/or Ca2+ channel blocking activities. It also exerted relaxant effect on phenylephrine (1 µM)- and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit aortic preparations thus providing rationale for its folkloric uses to treat diarrhea, asthma and hypertension.

Murraya paniculata is traditionally used for management of gut, air way and cardiovascular disorders. The study was conducted for provision of pharmacological rationalization for folkloric uses of Murraya paniculata in gut, air way and cardiovascular problems. Aqueous-ethanolic extract of Mp.Cr was tested using in vitro techniques on isolated tissue of rabbit (jejunum, trachea and aorta) to detect the possible presence of spasmolytic activity. The responses of tissues were recorded using isotonic transducers coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system. Application of the extract of Mp.Cr relaxed spontaneous and high K+ (80mM)-induced contraction in rabbit jejunum preparation. Because it shifted the CRCs (Calcium response curve) towards the right side so the possible blockade was of calcium channel similar to verapamil. In rabbit trachea, extract of Mp.Cr produced relaxation of carbachol and high K+ induced contractions. When plant extract was checked further on isolated aorta for its possible vasodilator effect, it caused relaxation of phenylephrine and high K+-induced spastic contractions at different doses. These results indicate that Murraya paniculata shows anti-spasmodic, bronchodilator and vasodilator activity facilitated through Ca++ antagonist mechanisms.

Heliotropium strigosum is used in traditional medicine to manage gastrointestinal pain, respiratory distress and vascular disorders. The present study was undertaken to provide scientific evidences for these folkloric uses by in vitro experimental settings. A crude methanol extract of the Heliotropium strigosum (Hs.Cr) was tested in vitro on isolated rabbit jejunum preparations to detect the possible presence of spasmolytic activity. Moreover, isolated rabbit tracheal and aorta preparations were used to ascertain the relaxant effects of the extract. The Hs.Cr exhibited relaxant effects in rabbit jejunum in a concentration dependent manner (0.01-3.0 mg/ml). The Hs.Cr also relaxed K+ (80 mM)-induced spastic contractions in rabbit jejunum and shifted the Ca2+ concentration response curves towards right. The extract relaxed carbachol (1 μM)- as well as K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in rabbit trachea at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10 mg/ml. Moreover, Hs.Cr. also relaxed (0.01-3.0 mg/ml) the phenylephrine (1 μM)- and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit aorta. The Hs.Cr was found to exhibit spasmolytic, bronchodilator and vasorelaxant activities on isolated rabbit jejunum, trachea and aorta preparations, likely mediated through Ca2+ channel blockade. This finding may provide a scientific basis for the folkloric uses of the plant.

Solena heterophylla Lour. has traditionally been used in the management of diseases pertaining to gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular system and present study was undertaken to validate its traditional uses. The aqueous ethanolic extract of Solena heterophylla Lour (Sh.Cr) was tested in-vitro on isolated rabbit jejunum, tracheal and aorta preparations. The responses of tissues were recorded using isotonic transducers coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system. The aqueous ethanolic extract of Solena heterophylla Lour (Sh.Cr) (0.03-1.0 mg/ml) on application to spontaneous contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparation exerted relaxant effect through decrease in magnitude and frequency of contractions, caused relaxation of K+(80 mM)-induced contractions and shifted the Ca2+ concentration response curves toward right in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations in a manner similar to verapamil (a standard Ca2+ channel blocker), thus confirming its Ca2+ channel blocking activity. The Sh.Cr also caused relaxation of carbachol (1 μM)- and K+(80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit tracheal preparations in a manner comparable to dicyclomine. The observed relaxant effect may be outcome of anti-muscarinic and Ca2+ channel blocking activities. The Sh.Cr (0.03-1.0 mg/ml) against phenyephrine (1 μM)- and K+(80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit aortic preparations exerted a relaxant effect, possibly through Ca2+ channel blocking activity. These findings provide a rationale for the folkloric uses of the plant in the management of ailments pertaining to gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular system.