sible mechanisms of the hypotensive action of the extract are discussed. The neuromuscular and cardiovascular activities of an amide alkaloid (tetramethylpyrazine, TMPZ) isolated from the stem of Jatropha podagrica HOOK (Euphorbiaceae) have been investigated in some experimental animals. The results obtained show that the alkaloidal extract possesses neuromuscular-blocking and hypotensive effects. The extract also inhibited the indirect electrically-evoked contractions of the nictitating membrane of anaesthetized cats. The neuromuscular activity of the extract was found to be similar to that of d-tubocurarine. In anaesthetized cats, the hypotension induced by the alkaloid was not altered by cervical bilateral vagotorny, atropinization or mepyramine pretreatment, suggesting that the hypotensive effect is unlikely to be mediated via cholinergic or histamine H,-receptor stimulation mechanisms. Plau-
The methanolic extract of stem of Jatropha podagrica HOOK has demonstrated antibacterial activity against only gram positive microorganisms. Fractionation of this extract resulted in a number of active fractions. One of them contained the amide alkaloid tetramethylpyrazine. The presence of this alkaloid has previously not been reported in any Jatropha species. The structures of [the] other active compounds are still being determined.
The mechanism of the hypotensive effect of an amide alkaloid, tetramethylpyrazine (TMPZ), obtained from the stem of Jatropha podagrica HOOK (Euphorbiaceae) has been investigated in some isolated vascular and extra-vascular smooth muscle preparations. The results obtained show that the amide alkaloid inhibits the contractions of the rabbit isolated perfused central ear artery induced by periarterial electrical stimulation or intraluminally administered noradrenaline; reduces, like papaverine, the amplitude of the spontaneous myogenic contractions, and noradrenaline-evoked contractions of the rat isolated portal vein; inhibits the electrical stimulation-induced or noradrenaline-evoked contractions of the guinea-pig isolated vas deferens and reduces the periarterial electrical stimulation-induced or noradrenalineevoked relaxations of the rabbit isolated duodenum. The antagonism produced by the amide alkaloid on the responses of these isolated tissue preparations to electrical stimulation or exogenously-added noradrenaline was similar to that elicited by phentolamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist. It is concluded that tetramethylpyrazine (TMPZ) probably causes hypotension in experimental animals by (a) dilating blood vessels, and/or (b) acting as a non-specific spasmolytic agent (like papaverine).
Our main objective was the identification of different types of foods given or withheld for various kinds of childhood diarrhoea. The study was conducted in rural Yoruba communities of Osun State, Nigeria. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used and a total of 33 5 randomly selected mothers with children under 5 years o f age were interviewed. The diets chosen by the mothers reflect cultural perceptions of the aetiology of illness and of the therapeutic properties of local foodstuffs. Raw corn starch is believed to be an anti-diarrhoea1 agent and therefore given for all types of diarrhoea, while rice is avoided. Sugar, sweet foods and groundnut preparations, which are perceived as causes of bloody diarrhoea and related illnesses, are proscribed. Sixty per cent of mothers would reduce the intake of fluids for the most common types of diarrhoea. Their level of education does not make any significant difference. To ensure adequate home management of childhood diarrhoea, educational interventions must take into account prevailing beliefs in the community.
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