Research Article: Contractile activity ofRubus idaeusextract on isolated mouse uterine strips

Abstract

Abstract Red raspberry leaf (Rubus spp.) has been historically used as an herbal medicine to promote labor as well as to reduce pain during childbirth. Previous research has shown red raspberry leaf (RRL) to either contract or relax uterine smooth muscle tissues. These variable responses are likely a function of the species used, the stage of estrous, whether the protocols were completed on intact organisms or isolated tissues, how the extracts were prepared, as well as the concentrations administered. The purpose of this investigation was to collect data using contemporary techniques that either supported or refuted claims that RRL contracts isolated uterine muscle. Aqueous extracts of RRL at all concentrations tested (1.5 - 50 mg) produced increases in contractile forces from isolated longitudinal strips of mouse uterine tissues suspended in standard 15 mL organ baths. The responses were concentration-dependent when presented as a standardized contractile response to10−5 M ACh (p = 0.005), and were equa...