Effect of butanolic fraction of Desmodium adscendens on the anococcygeus of the rat

Abstract

The chemical composition of plants can vary according to factors such as soil and time of collection. Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) D.C. var. adscendens (Papillionaceae) is a plant employed in the treatment of asthma in Ghana, Africa. Studies have shown that butanolic extract inhibits contraction of the ileum and trachea in guinea pigs. In Mato Grosso, this plant is used only in the treatment of ovarian inflammation. The objective of this work was to verify if the plant found in Mato Grosso also relaxes smooth muscle and to understand better its action. The cumulative application of the butanolic fraction relaxed the contraction maintained in the isolated anococcygeus of a rat, induced by high potassium, but not that induced by phenylephrine. Relaxation was not altered by methylene blue. The butanolic fraction reduced in a concentration-dependent way the maximum response of concentration-response curve to calcium in the anococcygeus muscle. The results suggest that the butanolic fraction acts, at least partly, through the blockade of voltage-sensitive Ca+2 channels.

An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. and Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC.

“…Abnormalities in the contraction are related to a variety of clinical conditions including hypertension and asthma. Substances that act in contractility control of smooth muscle are useful in the treatment of disorders due to contraction abnormalities in such muscle (Barreto, 2002). Several studies have been carried out to verify if the plant relaxes smooth muscle and to understand better its action.…”

“…Several studies have been carried out to assess if the plant relaxes smooth muscles and to understand better its action (Addy and Awumey, 1984;Addy and Dzandu, 1986;Addy and Burka, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990Addy, 1992;McManus et al, 1993;Addy and Schwartzman, 1995;Barreto, 2002).…”

“…Studies have shown that butanolic extract inhibits contraction of the ileum and trachea in guinea pigs (Barreto, 2002). Since in Mato Grosso, Desmodium adscendens is used only in the treatment of ovarian inflammation, work was carried out to verify if it also relaxes smooth muscles.…”

Zioła peruwiańskie w Europie

“…Etanolowy ekstrakt z liści podany myszom ob-niżał temperaturę ciała i miał działanie przeciwbólowe [13]. Ekstrakt n-butanolowy zawiera związki działające przeciwskurczowo na mięśnie, poprzez wpływ na kanały wapniowe [14].…”

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of <i>Desmodium adscendens</i> root and <i>Bombax buonopozense</i> leaves

“…It is indigenous to many tropical countries and grows in open forests, pastures and along the road sides (Taylor, 2005). Traditionally, D. adscendens has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis and central nervous system disorders (Taylor, 2005); vaginal infections (Barreto et al, 2002), promote lactation in women, treat wounds and sores, malaria and diarrhea (Addy, 1997), ovarian and uterine problems (Evans, 2002) by various ethnic groups. Chemical constituents of D. adscendens include flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and astragalin which is highly antimicrobial in action.…”