[Anti spasmolytic effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra leaf on rat ileum contractions]

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a type of plant that a lot of researches have been carried out on components and properties of its licorice but the effect of its leaf extract has not been evaluated. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra leaf extract on rat ileum contractions. In this experimental study, the terminal portion of ileum from male Wistar rat was contracted under 1 gram tension by 60 mM KCl and/or 10 micro M carbachol and then the effect of aquatic extraction of Glycyrrhiza glabra on the contractions was assessed. The new portions of the ileum were separately incubated with propranolol [1micro M], naloxone [1 micro M], inhibitor of nitric oxide synthetize [L-NAME] [100 micro M], glibenclamide [10mM] and tetraethyl ammonium [1 micro M] and the tissue spasm and antispasmodic effect of the extract were recorded. Data were analyzed using one and two way analysis of variance and post hoc LSD tests. Cumulative concentrations of the extract [0.0625-0.5mg/ml] reduced the ileum contractions induced by KCl and carbacole, dose-dependently [P<0.001]. Incubation of the tissue with propranolol, naloxone, L-NAME, and tetraethyl ammonium did not reduce the antispasmodic effect of the extract, but it was reduced by glibenclamide [0.125mg/ml]. In Tyrode-containing solution, without calcium and with high concentrations of potassium [60 micro M], the cumulative concentrations of CaCl[2] [0.5-8mM] contracted the ileum and the extract [0.0156-0.0625mg/ml] reduced the induced contractions [P<0.001]. Based on our results, the aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra inhibited the ileum contractions without involving beta-adrenergic, opioid, and tetraethyl ammonium receptors. Calcium channels were involved in the main part of this inhibitory effect and probably activation of ATP-dependent potassium channels partially was involved in this process

[Effect of hydroalcoholic extract onion [allium cepa L.] peel of on the male rat ileum contractility]

Onion [Allium cepa] bulb from Liliaceae has antioxidant, spasmolytic and antihypertensive activities. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of onion peel extract on the rat ileum contractility. Onion peel powder was extracted by maceration in 70% alcohol for 72 h. A terminal portion of ileum from Wistar male rat was dissected and its contractions were recorded isotonically in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution [37°C] under 1 g tension. Cumulative concentrations of the extract [0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg/ml] reduced the ileum contractions induced by KCl [60 mM] and by carbachol [10 micro M] dose-dependently [p<0.0001]. The spasmolytic effect of extract was not reduced by tissue incubation with propranolol [1 micro M, 30 min], naloxone [1 micro M, 30 min], L-NAME [100 micro M, 20 min], glibenclamide [10 micro M, 5 min] and neither by tetraethylammonium [1mM, 5 min]. In Ca[2+]-free with high K+ [60mM] Tyrode solution, the extract [0.0125-0.1mg/ml] reduced the ileum contractions induced by cumulative concentrations of CaCl2 [0.225-2.7 mM] dose-dependently [p<0.05-p<0.01]. Onion peel extract reduced the ileum contraction, however, neither the beta -adrenoceptors opioid receptors, nor the potassium channels activation were involved in this activity. It seems that the voltage dependent calcium channels are involved in the spasmolytic effect of the extract. Nevertheless, the quercetin extract might be responsible for this activity