The presence of Cholinomimetic and calcium channel antagonist constituents in Piper betle Linn.

Moringa oleifera: a food plant with multiple medicinal uses

“…Although preliminary studies are under way in different laboratories to use the antispasmodic, antiinflammatory, antihypertensive and diuretic activities of M. oleifera seed, these studies (Gilani et al, 2000;2005a;Bashir et al, 2006) might be of some guidance in designing experiments in which the presence of antispasmodic constituents at higher doses are explained as a possible mode to offset the side-effects usually associated with high dose of laxative therapy. Similarly, the known species differences in the pharmacological actions of medicinal plants (Ghayur et al, 2005; may also be taken into account when planning studies involving contradictory results.…”

Gut modulatory and antiplatelet activities ofViscum cruciatum

“…The contraction of smooth muscle preparations, including rabbit jejunum, is dependent upon an increase in the cytoplasmic free calcium [Ca 2+ ], which activates the contractile elements (Karaki & Wiess, 1983). In earlier studies we observed that the spasmolytic effect of medicinal plants is usually mediated through blockade of Ca 2+ channels (Gilani et al, 2000(Gilani et al, , 2006. To elucidate the Ca 2+ antagonist effect, tissues were precontracted with high K + , which is known to cause smooth muscle contractions through opening of L-type Ca 2+ channels, thus allowing the influx of extracellular Ca 2+ resulting in contraction (Bolton, 1979); a substance that relaxes such contraction is considered a Ca 2+ antagonist (Godfraind et al, 1986).…”

A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa (kalonji) seeds

“…Reported to significant increase in mucin content, glutathione level as well as a significant decrease in mucosal histamine content and ulcer formation, with a protection ratio of 53.56%, was found in the N. sativa oil pretreated group. More recently, the crude extract of N. sativa was shown to cause a dose dependent (0.1 to 3.0 mg/ml) relaxation of spontaneous contractions of rabbit jejunum as well as inhibition of K + -induced contractions in a similar dose range, suggestive of calcium channel blockade (Gilani et al, 2001). Recently, Abdel-Sater (2009) investigated the protective effects of N. sativa on hypothyroidism induced development of acute cold restraint stress gastritis in rats.…”

“…Thus the oil then can be used in Asthma. Gilani et al (2001) studied the effect of a crude extract of N. sativa seed on isolated rabbit jejunum and guinea pig tracheal preparation. The extract was found a dose dependant relaxation of spontaneous contraction in the rabbit jejunum and inhibition of KCl induced contractions.…”