Abstract
<p>Crude extract of <em>Dactylotenium aegyptium</em> and its fractions were evaluated to rationalize its folkloric use in gastrointestinal ailments. In spontaneous contracting rabbit jejunum preparation, D. aegyptium exert concentration-dependent spasmogenic effect (0.01-0.1 mg/mL) followed by spasmolytic effect at higher doses (0.3-3.0 mg/mL). Pretreatment of the tissue preparations with atropine resulted in suppression of the spasmogenic response. Furthermore, <em>D. aegyptium</em> (1.0 mg/mL) caused relaxation of K<sup>+ </sup>(80 mM)-induced spastic contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations and there was non-parallel shift in Ca<sup>++</sup> dose response curves towards right (0.1-0.3 mg/mL). These findings were found to be comparable with verapamil, a standard Ca<sup>++</sup> channel blocker. The solvent-solvents fractionation reflected segregations of spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects in respective aqueous and dichloromethane fractions. The above-mentioned findings reflected, presence of cholinergic as well as Ca<sup>++</sup> channel blocking activity in ethanolic extract of <em>D. aegyptium</em> thus providing scientific basis for its folkloric use in constipation and diarrhea.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Highlights
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Beauv (Synonyms: Eleusine aegyptia; Family: Gramineae) is a common coarse grass; known by multiple vernacular names including madhana, bhobra, chimbari, takraa, makaraa, timida (Khare, 2007), beach wire grass, coast button grass, duck grass, durban crowfoot, finger comb grass, four-finger grass (Kirtikar and Basu, 1987), Egyptian finger grass and Egyptian crowfoot grass (Quattrocchi, 2006)
The crude ethanol extract of D. aegyptium (Da.Cr) exhibited concentration dependent (0.01-0.1 mg/mL) contractile effect in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, but paradoxically it exerted relaxant effect on further increase in tissue bath concentrations (0.3-3.0 mg/mL), EC50 value of 0.5071 mg/mL (Figure 1B, 3A)
The D. aegyptium-induced increase in contractile activity of gastrointestinal tract may provide a scientific basis for it folkloric uses in constipation
Summary
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Beauv (Synonyms: Eleusine aegyptia; Family: Gramineae) is a common coarse grass; known by multiple vernacular names including madhana, bhobra, chimbari, takraa, makaraa, timida (Khare, 2007), beach wire grass, coast button grass, duck grass, durban crowfoot, finger comb grass, four-finger grass (Kirtikar and Basu, 1987), Egyptian finger grass and Egyptian crowfoot grass (Quattrocchi, 2006). In some areas grass is reported to contain glycosides (Bor, 1960; Holm et al, 1977; Randall, 2002; Khan, 2002).
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