Vasorelaxant Properties of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb. Methanolic Extract

Cardiovascular activity of the n-butanol fraction of the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb.

“…The latter pharmacological effect was supported by the fact that this extract also possessed significant blood pressure lowering properties in anesthetized normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo (4,5).…”

“…We recently showed that LFME produces a concentration-dependent drop in noradrenaline-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction in isolated rat aortic ring preparations in vitro (5) and a dose-dependent hypotensive effect in vivo (4,5). We then obtained evidence indicating that the cardiovascular effects of LFME are largely retained in its n-butanol fraction.…”

“…Preparation of L. ferrugineus methanol extract and its fractions LFME was obtained as previously described (5). In brief, a Soxhlet apparatus (Schott Duran, Germany) and solvents of ascending polarity (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water) were used to obtain LFME.…”

“…Subsequently, a small abdominal incision was made to expose and cannulate (PP10, Portex) the urinary bladder to allow free passage of urine from the kidneys. Upon completion of surgery, 2 mL normal saline was given slowly and intravenously through the jugular vein and the animal was then allowed to stabilize for 1 h before the administration of plant fractions (4,5).…”

“…(syn. : Scurrula ferruginea) from the Loranthaceae family is a hemi-parasitic shrub found on many dicotyledonous trees and attaches itself to the host tree through modified roots (4)(5)(6)(7). In general, Loranthaceae members are commonly known as mistletoes, while in Malaysia they are widely referred to as dedalu, dalu-dalu or sometimes dedalu api owing to the rusty appearance of the leaves.…”