Relaxant Effect of the Extracts of Crataegus mexicana on Guinea Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle

Abstract

a B S t r a c tCrataegus sp. has been used in the traditional medicine of Mexico as well as other countries for the treatment of several respiratory diseases, such as flu, cough and asthma. The tracheal relaxant effect of the leaves of C. mexicana is investigated here for the first time, through a bioassay-guided study by using isolated tracheal rings of guinea-pig as an experimental model. the hexane extract was the most active compared to dichloromethane and methanol. an active fraction was obtained from the hexane extract. Assays by HPLC-MS reveal that at least 14 compounds may exist in it. In addition, the results suggest that relaxant effect of the effective fraction was in part related to the activity of β-adrenergic receptors and not to K + atP channels. This study represents the first in which the relaxant effect of leaves of C. mexicana on tracheal rings of guinea pig was clearly demonstrated. More studies are required to correctly identify the bioactive compounds that contribute to the relaxant effects of Crataegus mexicana, and to know the mechanisms of action of these compounds.

Mediterranean Hawthorn Fruit (Crataegus) Species and Potential Usage

“…Hypoglycaemic, relaxant effect on guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle [52] C. aronia, C. monogyna, C. pseudoheterophylla…”

Vasodilator Activity of Compounds Isolated from Plants Used in Mexican Traditional Medicine

“…Gray ( pipitzáhuac ), and Teloxys graveolens ( epazote de zorrillo ). These plants are widely used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat several illnesses, such as gastric ulcers, stomach ache, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, dysentery, sores and infections of the oral cavity, skin ulcers [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], renal disorders and kidney stones ( Larrea tridentata ) [ 17 ], cough, asthma, tachycardia and to improve coronary blood flow ( Crataegus gracilior ) [ 20 , 22 ], and cancer ( Croton alamosanus ) [ 23 ].…”

Biological Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Hawthorn Crataegus mexicana

“…Considering these differences, the flavonoids are extracted in a better way using polar solvents [41]. In Crataegus mexicana the only studies about flavonoids and their effects have been performed with acetone extracts and their effects to inhibit the lipo-peroxidation in rat brain cells [25] and in erythrocytes, ethanolic extracts in order to determine the antioxidant action [6,14,40], and n-hexane extracts, dichloromethane and methanol in order to determine its relaxing action in the trachea of Ghinnea pigs [42].…”