Abstract
This study reports the effect of Spilanthes acmella Murr. extracts on phenylephrine-induced contraction of rat thoracic aorta as well as their antioxidant activity. Results show that the extracts exert maximal vasorelaxations in a dose-dependent manner, but their effects are less than acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide (NO) vasorelaxation. Significant reduction of vasorelaxations is observed in both NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and indomethacin (INDO). In the presence of l-NAME plus INDO, synergistic effects are observed, leading to loss of vasorelaxation of both acetylcholine and the extracts. Similarly, the vasorelaxations of the extracts are completely abolished upon the removal of endothelial cells. This demonstrates that the extracts exhibit vasorelaxation via partially endothelium-induced NO and prostacyclin in a dose-dependent manner. Significantly, the ethyl acetate extract exerts immediate vasorelaxation (ED50 76.1 ng/mL) and is the most potent antioxidant (DPPH assay). The chloroform extract shows the highest vasorelaxation and antioxidation (SOD assay). These reveal a potential source of vasodilators and antioxidants.
Highlights
Spilanthes acmella Murr. is a medicinal plant of the Compositae family [1]
We have investigated the effects of Spilanthes acmella Murr. extracts on rat thoracic aorta and its mechanism of action as well as its antioxidant activity
It was found that hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed UV absorption on thin layer chromatography (TLC)
Summary
Spilanthes acmella Murr. (para-cress or toothache plant) is a medicinal plant of the Compositae family [1]. Crude flower head extracts of the plant exhibited potent ovicidal, marked larvicidal (LC50 of 61.43 ppm) and pupicidal activities [13, 14]. The crude flower head extracts displayed strong diuretic action which caused marked increase in urine Na+, K+ and a reduction in the osmolarity of urine [16]. It has been used as anti-toothache formulation for pain relieving within 2-10 min and useful in treating the swelling and infection of gums [17]. Its root powder extract is very effective in treating HIV/AID infection [19]
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