Mechanisms underlying the antidiarrheal,antispasmodic and bronchodilator activities of Fumaria parviflora and involvement of tissue and species specificity

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In the Greco-Arab (Unani) traditional medicine, Fumaria parviflora Linn. is widely used in hypreractive gut and respiratory disorders including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, indigestion and asthma but scientific studies to provide rational for these medicinal uses are sparse. This study was therefore undertaken to provide ethnopharmacological basis for its medicinal use in diarrhea, abdominal cramps and asthma.     

Antispasmodic and vasodilator activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morinda citrifolia</Emphasis> root extract are mediated through blockade of voltage dependent calcium channels

Background  

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) is an edible plant with wide range of medicinal uses. It occurs exclusively in tropical climate zone from India through Southeast Asia and Australia to Eastern Polynesia and Hawaii. The objective of this study was to explore the possible mode(s) of action for its antispasmodic, vasodilator and cardio-suppressant effects to rationalize its medicinal use in gut and cardiovascular disorders.     

Pharmacological explanation for the medicinal use of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus excelsa</Emphasis> in hyperactive gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders

Crude extract of Juniperus excelsa (JeExt), which tested positive for the presence of anthraquinone, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, terpenes and tannin, exhibited a protective effect against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice at 100–1000 mg/kg. In rabbit jejunum preparations, JeExt (0.01–1.0 mg/mL) caused relaxation of spontaneous and K⁺ (80 mM)-induced contractions at similar concentrations to papaverine, whereas verapamil was relatively more potent against K⁺. JeExt (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) shifted Ca²⁺ concentration–response curves to the right, like papaverine or verapamil. JeExt (0.003–0.01 mg/mL) caused a leftward shift of isoprenaline-induced inhibitory concentration–response curves, similar to papaverine. JeExt (1.0–30 mg/kg) caused suppression of carbachol (CCh, 100 μg/kg)-induced increase in inspiratory pressure of anaesthetized rats. In guinea-pig trachea, JeExt (0.001–3.0 mg/mL) relaxed CCh (1 μM)- and high K⁺-induced contractions and shifted isoprenaline-induced inhibitory curves to the left. This study suggests that Juniperus excelsa possibly exhibits a combination of Ca²⁺ antagonist and phosphodiesterase inhibitory effects, which provides a pharmacological basis for its traditional use in disorders of gut and airways hyperactivity, such as diarrhoea, colic and asthma.     

Gut and airways relaxant effects of Carum roxburghianum

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Carum roxburghianum is traditionally used in hyperactive gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. The present study was carried out to investigate the possible gut and airways relaxant potential of Carum roxburghianum to rationalize its folk uses.

Materials and methods

Crude extract of Carum roxburghianum (Cr.Cr) was studied in in vivo and in vitro techniques.

Results

Cr.Cr exhibited protective effect against castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice at 100–1000 mg/kg. In rabbit jejunum preparations, Cr.Cr (0.03–3.0 mg/mL) caused relaxation of spontaneous and K⁺ (80 mM)-induced contractions at similar concentrations, like papaverine. Pretreatment of tissues with Cr.Cr (0.1–1.0 mg/mL) shifted Ca⁺⁺ concentration–response curves (CRCs) to right, like verapamil. Cr.Cr (0.03 and 0.1 mg/mL) caused leftward shift of isoprenaline-induced inhibitory CRCs, similar to papaverine. In isolated guinea-pig ileum, Cr.Cr (0.01 and 0.03 mg/mL) produced rightward parallel shift of acetylcholine-curves, like atropine. Cr.Cr (1.0–30 mg/kg) caused suppression of carbachol (CCh, 100 μg/kg)-induced increase in inspiratory pressure of anaesthetized rats. In guinea-pig trachea, Cr.Cr (0.03–1.0 mg/mL) relaxed CCh and high K⁺-induced contractions, shifted isoprenaline-induced inhibitory CRCs to left at 0.1 and 0.3 mg/mL and CCh-curves parallel to right (0.01 and 0.03 mg/mL). Cr.Cr did not cause any mortality of mice up to 10 g/kg dose.

Conclusion

These results indicate that Carum roxburghianum possess combination of antidiarrheal, antispasmodic and bronchodilatory effects, which provides pharmacological basis to its traditional use in the disorders of gut and airways hyperactivity, like diarrhea, colic and asthma.