[Antispasmodic effect of Teucrium polium leaf extract on rat ileum]

Teucrium polium [locally called as chez or kalporeh in Khuzestan Province, Iran] is used traditionally as a remedy for treatment of headache, convulsion and dysmenorrhea and moreover, its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antibacterial effects have been reported in recent researches. In addition, it is also used traditionally to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Teucrium polium aqueous leaf extract on rat ileum contractions evoked by receptor and non-receptor stimulants and also to study the mechanism[s] involved. Freshly dried leaves of Teucrium polium were extracted with boiling water. Pieces of ileum from adult male Wistar rat were mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution and an isotonic transducer recorded contractile responses under 1g initial tension. Data indicate that cumulative concentrations of the extract [0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml] reduced the ileum contractions induced by KCl [60 mM] and acetylcholine [1 microM] in a dose-dependent manner [P<0.0001]. The spasmolytic effect of the extract on KCl-induced contraction was more potent than on the ACh-induced contractions. The spasmolytic effect of extract was totally reversible. The spasmolytic effect of the extract was not affected by L-NAME [100 microM, 20min] in KCl-induced contractions. Spasmolytic effect of extract was not reduced by ileum incubation [30 min] with propranolol, phentolamine and naloxone [all at 1microM] in KCl-induced contractions. The cumulative concentrations of calcium evoked contractions in a dose dependent manner in Ca[2+]-free Tyrode solution with high potassium. These contractions were attenuated by the extract, significantly. The results suggested that the voltage dependent calcium channels might be involved in spasmolytic effects of Teucrium polium aqueous leaf extract. In this inhibitory effect, however, neither NO, opioid receptors, nor adrenoceptors [alpha and beta] were involved

[Spasmolytic effect of Teucrium polium on virgin rat uterus]

Teucrium polium [locally known as chez or kalporeh in Khuzestan Province, Iran] is used traditionally as remedy for treatment of headache, convulsion and dysmenorrheal; and also its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antibacterial effects has been reported. But its spasmolytic effect on uterine smooth muscle remained to be identified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Teucrium polium aqueous extract [TPAE] on virgin rat uterus contractions evoked by some stimulants. Freshly dried aerial parts of plant were extracted. Contractile responses were recorded isometrically in an organ bath containing Tyrode's or De Jalon solutions under 1g initial tension. Results indicated that extract [0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml] reduced the uterus contractions induced by KCl [60mM], oxytocin [10mU/ml] and BaCl2 [4mM] dose dependently and significantly [P<0.0001]. The spasmolytic effect of extract was totally reversible in less than 10min. The spasmolytic effect of TPAE was unaffected by L-NAME [300 and 100 microM] in KCl- or oxytocin-induced contractions receptively. Spasmolytic effect of extract was unaffected by propranolol [1microM for 5 min] in KCl-induced contractions but, reduced significantly in oxytocin-induced contraction. In normal calcium De Jalon solution, the contractions-induced by BaCl[2], were more attenuated by extract than in calcium free solution. The data presented seem to suggest that the spasmolytic effect of Teucrium polium aqueous extract is partially induced via blocking the voltage dependent calcium channels and remaining effect is through involvement of the 3-adrenoceptors and stimulating the cAMP synthesis. In this inhibitory effect, NO is not involved