Rabbit Intestinal Muscle Research Articles

TERMINALIA CHEBULA RETZ;

Objective: To study the spasmogenic and spasmolytic properties of Terminalia chebula. Diagnostic parameter of smoothmuscle activity was used for the determination of characteristic spasmogenic and spasmolytic activity of T. chebula. Design:Experimental study. Setting: This experimental study was carried out at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, KarachiUniversity. Period: From 2005 to 2006. Material & method: This experimental study was conducted on isolated smooth muscle ofrabbit's intestine. Segment of small intestine (jejunum and ileum) was mounted in Tyroid's solution filled organ bath with maintainedo temperature at 37 C to record dose response activity. Results: It is observed that at the dose of 1 mg/ml there is a slight decrease in theresponse (0.88 cm 0.035 cm) as compare to control (1.15cm 0.040 cm). At 10 mg/ml there is a relaxing response of smooth muscleactivity (0.85cm 0.08cm) from control (1.08cm 0.125cm). While the relaxation is prominent at the doses of 20 mg/ml (0.9cm 0.5cm)and 25 mg/ml (0.55cm 0.035cm) from control (1.4cm 0.155cm) and (1.3cm 0.07cm) respectively with (p value 0.05). The effect of-2 ethyl acetate fraction shows initially relaxation and this effect disappeared after the administration of acetylcholine 1x10 M, but fullresponse of acetylcholine is not produced due to occupancy of muscarinic receptor by the extract. Conclusions: The effect of T. chebulashowed a spontaneous decrease in the movement of smooth muscles of rabbit's intestine as compared to control experiments.

Phytopharmacological assessment of medicinal properties of Psoralea corylifolia

Psoralea corylifolia (Leguminosae) is traditionally used for the treatment of skin conditions, fever and as anthelmintic. The aim of present study was to standardize the crude extract of P. corylifolia and determine its pharmacological activities. The crude extract of P. corylifolia was standardized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infra red (FT-IR), Fourier transform near infra red (FT-NIR) and ultra violet (UV) spectrophotometric methods. Pharmacological study of the crude extract of P. corylifolia and its fractions were carried out on smooth muscle of rabbit intestine. The results revealed quick decrease in the normal intestinal movement followed by a gradual dose dependant increase in the rhythmic activity of intestine. The antispasmodic response of the crude extract was found most significant at 20 mg/ml (78.13%). The chloroform fraction of the crude extract exhibited maximum antispasmodic response at 10 mg/ml (45.16%). n-butanol and aqueous fractions produced 39.29 and 13.79% antispasmodic effect, respectively, whereas, ethyl acetate fraction produced spasmogenic effect (21.9%). The crude extract of P. corylifolia exhibited positive antifungal activity against Candida albicans and positive antibacterial activity againstStaphylococcus aureus. Significant analgesic effect was also observed with 300 and 500 mg/kg dose at P < 0.05. The analgesic effect of the plant extract (500 mg/kg) was found to be higher than that of diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg; positive control). Brine shrimp lethality assay was performed and the plant extract did not exhibit any toxicity. Key words: Psoralea corylifolia, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), standardization, smooth muscles, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal.

Polarity of effects of stimulation of Auerbach's plexus on longitudinal muscle.

The effects of repetitive electrical stimulation of nodes in Auerbach's plexus on the longitudinal muscle of rabbit intestine were investigated. Peeled longitudinal muscle strips, with adherent Auerbach's plexus, were obtained and placed under a stereodissecting microscope. Neural elements within nodes of Auerbach's plexus were stimulated repetitively using a metal microelectrode with tip diameter of 5 micrometer. Stimuli applied to a node generally caused excitation of the longitudinal muscle on the oral side and inhibition on the anal side of the point of stimulation. Excitation of the muscle was mainly cholinergic, and inhibition of the muscle was nonadrenergic. From the results of the present study the concept of the law of the intestine, excitation above and inhibition below the stimulated spot, was supported.

Metabolic and other effects of reserpine upon smooth and skeletal muscle.

Reserpine increased the concentration of potassium ions in the fluid bathing the isolated frog sartorius muscle. The effect of reserpine upon respiration and upon glycolysis in rabbit intestinal muscle has been investigated using the Warburg "Direct" method. After a latent period, reserpine (50 mug./ml.) depressed respiration but did not affect glycolysis in gut muscle. These results, together with previous observations, may point to an effect of reserpine upon carbohydrate metabolism.