Cistus incanus and Cistus monspeliensis inhibit the contractile response in isolated rat smooth muscle.

The lyophilized aqueous extracts from Cistus incanus L. (CI) and Cistus monspeliensis L. (CM) collected in Sicily were studied in order to evaluate their myorelaxant activity by using isolated smooth muscle of rat ileum and rat aorta. Both CI and CM extracts concentration-dependently inhibited the contractile response to acetylcholine (ACh), phenylephrine (PE) and to 100 mM KCl. The concentration-contraction curves to ACh in ileum and to PE in aorta, were displaced to the right by Cistus extracts in a non-competitive manner, with a depression of the maximum contractile response. The EC50 (microg/ml) of CM and CI were: ileum/KCl, CM 457+/-99, CI 681+/-80; ileum/ACh 100 microM, CM 297+/-66, CI 335+/-41; aorta/KCl, CM 360+/-21, CI 843+/-36; and aorta/PE 10 microM, CM 287+/-33, CI 451+/-58. The two extracts resulted almost equi-active in ileum, whereas CM was more active than CI in aorta. These data indicate that Cistus extracts act as spasmolytic on intestinal and vascular smooth muscle. The antagonism they exert on ACh-, PE- and KCl-evoked contractions seems to be functional, because it is not specifically directed toward any particular receptor; furthermore, a calcium-antagonist activity seems unlikely, since the extracts are capable of completely block the contractile response to agonists.

Antioxidant activity and protective effect on DNA cleavage of extracts from Cistus incanus L. and Cistus monspeliensis L.

The genus Cistus includes many typical species of Mediterranean flora; Cistus species are used as antidiarrhetics, as general remedies for treatment of various skin diseases in folk medicine and as anti-inflammatory agents. These species contain flavonoids that are considered to be chain-breaking antioxidants. In this work, we have investigated the effects of crude aqueous extracts from Cistus incanus and Cistus monspeliensis on DNA cleavage and their free-radical scavenging capacity. In addition, their effect on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes was evaluated. These extracts showed a protective effect on DNA cleavage and a dose-dependent free-radical scavenging capacity; Cistus monspeliensis was more active than Cistus incanus; these results were confirmed by a significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. The experimental evidence, therefore, suggests that because of their antioxidant activity these extracts may offer excellent photoprotection for skin and may be useful in the treatment of human diseases where oxidative stress plays a key role.

Disorders of micturition in neurological patients. A clinical study of 786 patients.

Our aim was to evaluate the utility and effectiveness of a study protocol for neurological involvement in neurological disorders. We studied a sample of 786 patients with neurological disorders followed by the Neurological Department of Catania University and applied to them a four-step diagnostic protocol. Fifty-six per cent of the sample showed urological functional abnormalities; only 78 patients (9.9%) presented with an organic urological disease. Among the vesicosphincteric dysfunctions, bladder hyperreflexia was the most common pattern with remarkable differences between diseases. The present study demonstrated the utility of a standardized urological protocol in the screening and detection of neurological involvement in neurological diseases. Our protocol showed good specificity and reasonable low costs.

Gastroprotective effect of aqueous extract of Cistus incanus L. in rats.

The antiulcer activity of a short-boiled aqueous extract from aerial parts of Cistus incanus was studied in rats against gastric lesions induced by necrotizing agents (1N HCl and absolute ethanol), indomethacin, serotonin and reserpine. The extract, containing bioflavonoids, was orally administered in the range from 0.25 to 0.50 g kg-1. It was found to have significant dose-related protective effects in all these experimental models, and was more effective against reserpine- and serotonin-induced mucosal congestion and haemorrhagic ulcers. These data suggest that the active constituents of the crude extract could be responsible for its protective effect by maintaining an efficient gastric mucosal microvascular supply.

Papaver somniferum L. var. album D.C. cultivated in Sicily: phytochemical investigation and use.

The authors evaluated the vegetative growth and alkaloid content of the Papaver somniferum L. var. album D.C. capsules cultivated in Assoro (Enna) Sicily, in relation to the geographical position, environmental conditions and soil type. Gas chromatography revealed low alkaloid opiate producing capacity which makes cultivation for therapeutic and toxicologic purposes uneconomic. On the contrary, the elevated production of capsules containing numerous seeds justifies its cultivation for extraction of oil for the food industry and paint production. The results suggest that the cultivation of Papaver somniferum studied is used for baking traditional cakes and bread.