Background: Studies have shown that Physalis alkekengi reduces implantation and induces antifertility in rat. In Iranian traditional medicine it is believed that this plant has abortifacient and antifertility activities.Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the EFFECT of Physalis alkekengi ripe fruit hydroalcoholic extract (PFE) on uterine contractility and its possible mechanism(s).Materials and Methods: Extraction of Physalis alkekengi fruit was carried out by maceration method (70% alcohol). Uterus was dissected out from adult non-pregnant rat (Wistar) and contracted by KCl (60mM) or oxytocin (10mU/ml) in an organ bath containing De Jalon solution and the EFFECT of PFE on the uterine contractions was investigated. Furthermore, the role of a- and b-adrenoceptors, opioid receptors, nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate synthesis inhibitors on the extract EFFECTs were evaluated.Results: KCl- and oxytocin-induced uterine contractions were inhibited (p<0.001) by the cumulative concentrations of the extract in a concentration dependent manner.Incubation of uterus with propranolol (1mM) and L-NAME (100mM) attenuated the PFE ANTISPASMODIC EFFECT (p<0.05). But the PFE EFFECT was unaffected by phentolamine (1mM), naloxone (1mM) or methylene blue (10mM). In Ca2+-free with high potassium (60mM) De Jalon solution, cumulative concentrations of CaCl2 (0.1-0.5mM) induced uterine contraction concentration-dependently (p<0.001). Uterus incubation (5min) with PFE (0.25-1.75mg/ml) attenuated the CaCl2–induced contractions (p<0.05).Conclusion: It seems that the extract induced ANTISPASMODIC EFFECT mainly via calcium influx blockade and partially through blocking b-adrenoceptors and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. However, neither a-adrenoceptors nor opioid receptors or cGMP synthesis were involved.

Background: 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. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: 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 mM) 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 mM, 20min) in KCl-induced contractions. Spasmolytic EFFECT of extract was not reduced by ileum incubation (30 min) with propranolol, phentolamine and naloxone (all at 1mM) in KCl-induced contractions. The cumulative concentrations of calcium evoked contractions in a dose dependent manner in Ca2+-free Tyrode solution with high potassium. These contractions were attenuated by the extract, significantly. Conclusion: 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 (a and b) were involved.

Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. (Labiatae) is a traditional medicine which is believed to have ANTISPASMODIC and analgesic activities. The ANTISPASMODIC action of D. kotschyi essential oil has been shown in a previous report. The objective of this research was to study ANTISPASMODIC activity of hydroalcoholic extract of D. kotschyi on ileum contractions. Hydroalcoholic extract was obtained from aerial part of D. kotschyi using percolation method. For ANTISPASMODIC studies, a portion of rat ileum was suspended under 1g tension in Tyrode’s solution at 37 oC and gassed with O2. EFFECT of the D. kotschyi extract was assessed on ileum contractions induced by KCl (80 mM), acetylcholine (ACh, 500 nM) and electrical field stimulation (EFS). The D. kotschyi extract concentration dependently inhibited the response to KCl (IC50=36±5.1 mg/ml), Ach (IC50=101±9.5 mg/ml), EFS-1 (IC50=96±7.1 mg/ml) and EFS-2 (IC50=53±4.3 mg/ml). From this experiment it was concluded that D. kotschyi extract possessed potent ANTISPASMODIC activity. Therefore, identification of the active component(s) is (are) recommended in order to find the best lead compound for drug development.

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss or Yellow bells from Bignoniaceae is a ornamental tropical shrub or small tree predominantly found in central, and south America and in Latin America is used traditionally for reducing blood glucose. However, its other pharmacological EFFECTs have not been yet elucidated. The aim of present study was to investigate the EFFECT of its leaves extract on rat ileum contractility and involved mechanism(s). Tecoma stans Juss hydroalcoholic leaf extract (TLE) was prepared by macerated method using 70% alcohol. Distal segment of ileum (2 cm) from male Wistar rat was mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution (10 ml, pH 7, 37oC) and pre-contracted by carbachol (CCh, 10 mM) or by KCl (60 mM). The ANTISPASMODIC EFFECTs of TLE (0.125–2 mg/ml) were studied prior and after 20-30 min incubation of ileum with propranolol (1mM), naloxone (1mM), LNAME (100 mM), or 5 min incubation with glibenclamide (10 mM) and tetraethylammonium (TEA, 1mM). The EFFECT of TLE on CaCl2-induced contraction in Ca2+-free with high K+ Tyrode solution was also studied. The CCh- and KCl-induced ileal contractions were reduced by TLE (P<0.0001). This EFFECT was not attenuated by propranolol, naloxone, L-NAME, glibenclamide and TEA. In Ca2+-free Tyrode solution with high K+, cumulative concentrations of CaCl2 induced contractions which were inhibited by TLE dose-dependently. Our results indicate that the Tecoma stans (L.) Juss leaf extract induces its ANTISPASMODIC EFFECTs without involvement β-adrenoceptors, opioid receptors, potassium channels and NO production. It seems that, the calcium channels are involved in this spasmolytic EFFECT.

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 KCl, 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 KCl (60mM) in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.0001) and at 2mg/ml attenuated the BaCl2 (4mM)-induced uterus contraction (P<0.001). The inhibitory EFFECT of ZHLE on KCl-induced uterus contraction was unaffected by propranolol (1mM). In normal De Jalon solution, ZHLE (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1mg/ml) reduced the oxytocin (10mU/ml)-induced contraction dose-dependently (P<0.0001) but in Ca2+-free De Jalon solution, the stimulatory EFFECT of oxytocin was lesser nevertheless, the inhibitory EFFECT of ZHLE was higher. In presence of atropine (0.5mM), acetylcholine (0.5mM) was failed to induce contraction but KCl (30mM) evoked contraction and the extract diminished the contractile response of KCl. The spasmolytic EFFECT of extract (2mg/ml) on KCl-induced contraction was unaffected by naloxone (1mM). 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.