Extracellular Calcium and Induction of Uterine Muscle Contraction by Aqueous Ethanolic Leaf Extract of &lt;I&gt;Mucuna pruriens&lt;/I&gt;

B Francis,C.N Uchendu

doi:10.4314/jasem.v24i2.6

Abstract

Calcium (Ca2+) serves as an essential signaling molecule in biological systems, regulating a wide range of cellular processes of which uterine smooth muscle contraction is among. The present study was designed to evaluate the involvement of Ca2+ on isolated uterine muscle contraction induced by aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens). Uterine muscle contraction induced by the extract was concentration-dependent and was completely abolished (100%; P<0.05) in nominally Ca2+ -free physiological salt solution and in solutions containing (EGTA 1.5 mmol), lanthanium chloride (1.5 and 3 mmol), caffeine (3and 4.4 mmol) and verapamil (0.007-0.14 μmol). It is concluded that the inability of the extract to produce contractions in Ca2+ -free media, indicates that it lacks the ability to mobilize calcium from intracellular storage sites. Hence, its uterine stimulatory property is therefore solely dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Keywords: Calcium, Mucuna pruriens, Uterus, Contraction.

Highlights

Regulation of Ca2+ flux across the plasma membrane is essential in skeletal and smooth muscle contractile activities
This is the case in smooth muscle cells where plasma membrane depolarization leads to the entry of extracellular Ca2+ leading to the elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ (Wray et al, 2003)
It was established that the aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens has ability to cause uterine smooth muscle contraction (Francis et al, 2019)

Summary

Introduction

Regulation of Ca2+ flux across the plasma membrane is essential in skeletal and smooth muscle contractile activities. It was established that the aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens has ability to cause uterine smooth muscle contraction (Francis et al, 2019). The role of Ca2+ on M. pruriens -induced uterine smooth muscle contraction in albino rat was investigated.

Results

Conclusion