Pharmacological Studies Pertaining to Smooth Muscle Relaxant, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitory and Hypotensive Effects of Ailanthus altissima.

Hafiz Muhammad Abdur Rahman,Imran Imran,Muhammad Fawad Rasool

doi:10.1155/2019/1871696

Hafiz Muhammad Abdur Rahman, Imran Imran + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1871696

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Abstract

Objective This in vitro and in vivo study was conducted to rationalize some of traditional medicinal uses of Ailanthus altissima in gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Materials Crude extract of Ailanthus altissima (Aa.Cr) and its fractions were prepared and utilized in in vitro and in vivo studies. For in vitro studies, Aa.Cr was investigated on isolated rabbit jejunum, isolated tracheal strip, and isolated aorta of rat suspended in tissue organ bath. Platelet rich and platelet poor plasma were used to study platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. In vivo antidiarrheal effect of Aa.Cr was investigated on balb/c mice pretreated with castor oil to induce diarrhea and SD rats were used to study hypotensive activity. Results Concentration dependent spasmolytic effects of Aa.Cr and its DCM fraction (Aa.DCM) were observed on spontaneous and spasmogen induced contractions in jejunum isolated from rabbit, but effect against high potassium (high-K+) induced contractions was more potent. Moreover Aa.Cr showed parallel shifting of calcium response curve to the right side. While its aqueous fraction (Aa.aq) caused spasmogenesis of isolated rabbit jejunum, this effect was blocked partially with prior administration of atropine (1μM). Concentration dependent protection against castor oil induced diarrhea was also observed. Relaxant effect was observed by the application of Aa.Cr and Aa.DCM against high-K+ and carbachol (CCh) induced contractions in tracheal strips isolated from SD rats, while Aa.Aq caused partial relaxation of high-K+ induced contractions, but no effect was observed against CCh induced contractions. Relaxation of rat aorta by the application of Aa.Cr and its fractions was also observed. Inhibition of force of contraction in rabbit atrium was also observed. Inhibition of platelet aggregation was observed against epinephrine and ADP induced aggregation. Conclusion Keeping in view the observed results, it is concluded that smooth muscle relaxant, platelet aggregation inhibitory and hypotensive effect may be due to the blockage of calcium channels.

Highlights

Ailanthus altissima (Synonyms: Ailanthus cacodendron (Ehrh.) and Ailanthus glandulosa Desf.) belongs to Simaroubaceae family and is commonly called tree of heaven, smoke tree, God’s tree, Chinese sumac, and sumac tree [1]
Concentration dependent inhibition of spontaneous contractions and high-K+ induced contractions in isolated piece of rabbit jejunum was observed by the application of verapamil-a standard calcium channel antagonist
Inhibition of spontaneous contractions and high-K+ induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum was observed after the application of Aa.Cr

Summary

Introduction

Ailanthus altissima (Synonyms: Ailanthus cacodendron (Ehrh.) and Ailanthus glandulosa Desf.) belongs to Simaroubaceae family and is commonly called tree of heaven, smoke tree, God’s tree, Chinese sumac, and sumac tree [1]. It is native to China, Indian occupied Kashmir, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan [2, 3] This plant has peanut or cashew like fragrance [4, 5]. Its dried bark is listed as an official drug in modern Chinese materia medica as “chun bai pi”. This plant is used to treat gastrointestinal ailments like diarrhea, dysentery [7, 8], vermicide, and hemorrhage of intestine [9]. In Chinese system of medicines, it is used to treat colds and gastric problems [11]. Antispasmodic, anthelmintic, and parasiticidal [7, 13]

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