Effects of the ethanolic stem bark extract of pterocarpus erinaceus poir (fabaceae) on some isolated smooth muscles

Abstract

Effects of the 70% ethanolic stem bark extract of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir were investigated in some isolated smooth muscles preparations of experimental animals. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of tannins, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids flavonoids and steroids. The ethanolic stem bark extract of P.erinaceus (6.4mg/ml) relaxed the isolated pregnant rat uterus. Oxytocin induced contractions of the pregnant rat uterus was blocked by the extract at a higher dose. The studies on isolated guinea-pig ileum and rabbit jejunum smooth muscles demonstrated that the ethanolic stem bark extract of P.erinaceus produced a dose dependent relaxation of these muscles. The extract also attenuated the contractile effects of acetylcholine on these tissues dose dependently. This finding might lend credence to the use of the stem bark of the plant in the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery traditionally. From the results of this work and information from literature, flavonoids and tannins identified during phytochemical screening of the extract may be the biologically active components responsible for the gastrointestinal effects of the ethanolic stem bark extract of P.erinaceus.

Toxicological Characterization of Ten Medicinal Plants of the Beninese Flora Used in the Traditional Treatment of Diarrheal Diseases

“…Among these bioactive compounds, tannins are identified in all the plants studied. Similar observations are reported in the literature [34][35][36][37][38][39]. is presence of tannins as well as those of other identified bioactive molecules evokes the medicinal properties of the plants studied and their therapeutic uses in several pharmacopoeias.…”

Traditional medicinal plants used for treating emerging and re-emerging viral diseases in northern Nigeria

“… Used to treat fever, headache, skin infection, typhoid fever, malaria, measles, cough, leprosy and anemia in Benin republic. Used as abortifacient in Northern Nigeria and for fever in Ghana [ 261 , 262 ] The LD 50 of hydroethanolic stem bark extract is > 5 g/kg [263] Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis, meningitis Ricinus communis L Used as mosquito repellant, relieve stomachache, jaundice and toothache, convulsions, cold, catarrh, boils itching skin disease such as craw-craw [59] Contains toxic compounds such as ricin and ricinine and has shown toxicity at 3 g/kg of oral administration [264] Yellow fever, poliomyelitis Saccharum officinarum L. Used to treat liver related diseases, jaundice, hemorrhoid and dysentery in Nigeria [265] Contains some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [266] Yellow fever, poliomyelitis Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich.) Hochst.…”

Phytochemical Compositions in Some Nigerian Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Properties: A Review

“…According to [107], the stem bark extract of B. buonopozense has analgesic, antiinflammatory and antipyretic activities, and thus confirmed the traditional use for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and feverish conditions. Another study by [108] on the stem bark of P. erinaceus reported the antidiarrhoeal properties. Noufou et al, [109] revealed the antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities of the root bark extract of P. erinaceus.…”