Chemical Composition, Toxicity and Vasodilatation Effect of the Flowers Extract ofJasminum sambac(L.) Ait. “G. Duke of Tuscany”

Phanukit Kunhachan,Chuleratana Banchonglikitkul,Wichet Leelamanit,Tanwarat Kajsongkram,Amonrat Khayungarnnawee

doi:10.1155/2012/471312

Abstract

Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic Jasmine flower extract of Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. “G. Duke of Tuscany” revealed the mixtures of coumarins, cardiac glycosides, essential oils, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and steroids. However, alkaloids, anthraquinones, and tannins were not detected. By intravenous injection at a single dose of 0.5 mL/mouse (15 mg) of the flower extract, no systemic biological toxicity demonstrated in ICR mice was observed. In Wistar rats, the LD50 of the extract was higher than 5,000 mg/kg BW by oral administration. Vasodilatation effect of the 95% ethanolic extract on isolated aortic rats was also investigated. Compared with the control group, the Jasmine flowers extract in 0.05% DMSO clearly reduced tonus of isolated endothelium thoracic aortic rings preconstricted with phenylephrine (10−6 M), as a dose-dependent manner. Nevertheless, this pharmacological effect disappeared after the preincubation of the rings with atropine (10−6 M) or with Nω-nitro-L-arginine (10−4 M). These are possibly due to the actions of the active components on the vessel muscarinic receptors or by causing the release of nitric oxide.

Highlights

Jasmine (Jasminum) is a genus containing approximately 600 species of small trees and vines in the Family Oleaceae
Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract displayed that antioxidants, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, essential oils, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and steroids were investigated
The result from the present study suggests that the Jasmine flower extract may exert its endothelium-dependent relaxation activity by stimulating the nitric oxide release from the vascular endothelium via muscarinic receptors

Summary

Introduction

Jasmine (Jasminum) is a genus containing approximately 600 species of small trees and vines in the Family Oleaceae. These glabrous twining shrubs are widely cultivated in gardens and found in forests throughout tropical Asia and warm temperate regions in Europe and Africa. Their flowers and leaves have been well recognized for multipurpose uses. According to its high medicinal value, Jasminum sambac is one of the most cultivated species in many countries in Asia including Thailand. The whole parts of the plant are employed and prescribed in folk medicines, only two pharmacological studies of J. sambac have been reported.

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