Antispasmodic effect of zataria multiflora boiss. leaf extract on the rat uterus

Zataria multiflora Boiss. is used in Iranian traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and menrrhalgia. The inhibitory effect of this herb on rat ileum contractions is also reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. hydroalcoholic leaf extract [ZHLE] on isolated rat uterus in presence of some known uterus stimulants. Pieces of virgin adult rat uterus were mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode or De Jalon solutions. Uterus contraction was induced by KCI, oxytocin and BaCl2 in presence and absence of certain concentrations of ZHLE. In the oxytocin studies, animals received an injection of oestradiol valerate [5mg/kg, S.C.] 24h prior to the experiment. ZHLE [0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/ml] relaxed the uterus precontracted by KCI [60mM] in a dose-dependent manner [P<0.0001] and at 2mg/ml attenuated the BaCl[2] [4mM]-induced uterus contraction [P<0.001]. The inhibitory effect of ZHLE on KCl-induced uterus contraction was unaffected by propranolol [1microM]. In normal De Jalon solution, ZHLE [0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and Img/ml] reduced the oxytocin [10mU/ml]-induced contraction dose-dependently [P<0.0001] but in Ca[2]+-free De Jalon solution, the stimulatory effect of oxytocin was lesser nevertheless, the inhibitory effect of ZHLE was higher. In presence of atropine [0.5microM], acetylcholine [0.5microM] was failed to induce contraction but KCI [30mM] evoked contraction and the extract diminished the contractile response of KCI. The spasmolytic effect of extract [2mg/ml] on KCl-induced contraction was unaffected by naloxone [ImicroM]. From the obtained results it may be concluded that, the ZHLE may induce the inhibitory effect through blockage of the voltage dependent calcium channels and releasing calcium from intracellular stores in rat uterus smooth muscle. The ineffectiveness of propranolol and naloxone on ZHLE inhibitory effect indicates that adrenergic and opioid agonist substance[s] does not exist in the extract. It seems that there is no anticholinergic substance[s] in the extract. The results support the usage of this plant in traditional medicine

Bronchodilatory activity of vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract in rat

Several reports have shown the various effects of grape [Vitis vinifera] seed extract such as antioxidant, hypotensive, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory effects. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of grape leaf hydroalcoholic extract on isolated rat tracheal contractions induced by KCl and acetylcholine. The trachea was removed from male adult Sprague-Dawley rat and placed in an organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution and contractions were recorded isometrically. The results demonstrate that the grape leaf extract at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml significantly reduces the tracheal contractions induced by KCl [60 micro M] dose-dependently [P<0.0001]. Acetylcholine [55 micro M]-induced tracheal contractions were also attenuated at the same concentration of the extract [P<0.0001]. The grape leaf extract induced relaxation in the KCl-induced contraction in trachea was unaffected neither by nitric oxide [NO] synthase inhibitor [L-NAME, 100 microM] nor by beta-adrenoceptor antagonist [propranolol 1 microM]. Our results suggest that the bronchodilatory effect of grape leaf extract is mediated via the voltage dependent calcium channels. Furthermore, the beta-adrenergic and NO are not involved

Vasorelaxatory effect of vitis vinifera extract on rat aorta

Reports have shown the antioxidant, hypotensive, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory effects of grape [Vitis vinifera L.] seed extract. We have recently shown the relaxatory effect of grape leaf extract on rat uterus and reduction of frog heart rate and contractility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relaxant effect of Vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract [VLHE] on rat thoracic aorta contractions induced by phenylephrine and KCl and the role of aorta endothelium on this action. Rat aorta was removed and placed in an organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution and aorta contractions were recorded isometrically. The results demonstrate that VLHE [0.125-2 mg/ml] reduces the endothelial intact aorta reconstructed by phenylephrine [1 micro M] dose-dependently [P<0.0001]. Extract induced the same response in endothelial denuded aorta, but in a much lesser extent. The IC50 for both groups were 0.45 +/- 0.08 and 1.73 +/- 0.23 mg/ml, respectively. However, the contractile responses of these groups were similar. VLHE [0.125-2 mg/ml] reduced the contractions induced by KCl [80 mM] dose-dependently [P<0.0001]. The relaxatory effect of VHLE on KCl_induced contractions was less than those evoked by Phenylephrine. Vasorelaxatory effect of VHLE on intact aorta was attenuated by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor [L-NAME, 100 microM] and gaunyl cyclase inhibitor [methylene blue, 10 microM] significantly, but was unaffected by atropine [1 microM]. The results suggest that the greatest vasorelaxant effect of VHLE on rat aorta is endothelium-dependent and nitric oxide [NO] and cGMP are mostly responsible but cholinergic receptors are not involved