African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2288

Full Length Research Paper

Myorelaxant effect of aqueous root bark extract of Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl. is mediated through activation of nitric oxide synthase

Oluoch Linus Lincone
  • Oluoch Linus Lincone
  • Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi. P. O. Box 30197–00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Mbugua Paul Mungai
  • Mbugua Paul Mungai
  • Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi. P. O. Box 30197–00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Muriithi Anne Wangechi
  • Muriithi Anne Wangechi
  • Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi. P. O. Box 30197–00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Siringo Cyril George
  • Siringo Cyril George
  • Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi. P. O. Box 30197–00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Wafula David Kayaja
  • Wafula David Kayaja
  • Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi. P. O. Box 30197–00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Boniface Mwangi Chege
  • Boniface Mwangi Chege
  • Department of Medical Physiology, School of Health sciences, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, P. O. Box 657-10100, Nyeri, Kenya.
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  •  Received: 05 April 2019
  •  Accepted: 06 May 2019
  •  Published: 08 June 2019

Abstract

Many patients in Africa often utilize herbal medicine for the management of hyperactive gut disorders such as diarrhea and abdominal colic. There is therefore a need to scientifically evaluate efficacy of this herbal remedies. This study investigated the myorelaxant effect of Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl and its possible mechanism of action using isolated rabbit jejunum preparations. Pieces of jejunum were isolated from adult New Zealand white rabbits. They were then mounted in an organ bath containing Tyrode’s solution. The rate and force of jejunal contraction were recorded and analyzed using a Powerlab that was coupled to Chart5 software for windows. The effects of the extract (0.1-10.0 mg/ml) on spontaneous contraction were investigated. Its effect (3.0 mg/ml) was also studied in the presence of LG-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), methylene blue (soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) and propranolol (non-selective β adrenergic receptors antagonist). The extract dose-dependent significantly decreased the force but not the rate of spontaneous rabbit jejunal contraction. Among the blockers used, only LG -NAME significantly blocked the effect of the extract. Aqueous root bark extracts of C. edulis possess significant myorelaxant effect on isolated rabbit jejunum. This appears to be mediated through stimulation of nitric oxide release by nitric oxide synthase.

Key words: Carissa edulis, diarrhea, jejunum, motility, myorelaxant.

 

Abbreviation

ARCE, Aqueous root bark extract of Carissa edulis.

 

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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