| Title | Mechanisms underlying the antispasmodic and bronchodilatory properties of Terminalia bellerica fruit. | | Author(s) | Gilani AH, Khan AU, Ali T, Ajmal S | | Institution | Natural Product Research Division, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. | | Source | J Ethnopharmacol 2008 Jan 16. | | Abstract | AIM OF THE STUDY: The present investigation was carried out to provide the pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Terminalia bellerica in hyperactive gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crude extract of Terminalia bellerica fruit (Tb.Cr) was studied in in vitro and in vivo.
RESULTS: Tb.Cr caused relaxation of spontaneous contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum at 0.1-3.0mg/mL. Tb.Cr inhibited the carbachol (CCh, 1muM) and K(+) (80mM)-induced contractions in a pattern similar to that of dicyclomine, but different from nifedipine and atropine. Tb.Cr shifted the Ca(++) concentration-response curves to right, like nifedipine and dicyclomine. In guinea-pig ileum, Tb.Cr produced rightward parallel shift of acetylcholine-curves, followed by non-parallel shift at higher concentration with the suppression of maximum response, similar to dicyclomine, but different from nifedipine and atropine. Tb.Cr exhibited protective effect against castor oil-induced diarrhea and carbachol-mediated bronchoconstriction in rodents. In guinea-pig trachea, Tb.Cr relaxed the CCh-induced contractions, shifted CCh-curves to right and inhibited the contractions of K(+). Anticholinergic effect was distributed both in organic and aqueous fractions, while CCB was present in the aqueous fraction.
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that Terminalia bellerica fruit possess a combination of anticholinergic and Ca(++) antagonist effects, which explain its folkloric use in the colic, diarrhea and asthma. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 18289813 |
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