| Abstract: | Crinum glaucum aqueous extract (1–8 mg/mL) produced a concentration dependent, non-competitive inhibition of contractions induced by acetylcholine (1.1 × 10−8–3.3 × 10−7M ) and calcium chloride (CaCl2, 0.05–2 mM ) on the rat duodenum. Contractions of the guinea-pig ileum induced by acetylcholine (1.1 × 10−8–3.3 × 10−7M ) and histamine (1.1 × 10−8–3.3 × 10−7M ) were inhibited by the extract (1–4 mg/mL). The extract (0.125–2.0 mg/mL) also, produced a concentration dependent relaxation of the guinea-pig taenia coli, precontracted with potassium chloride (40 mM ). It is concluded that the extract is a non-specific relaxant of the gastrointestinal smooth muscles used. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
