The uterotonic action of the aqueous extract of Bridelia atroviridis in the rat

Abstract

The effects of the aqueous extract of leaves of Bridelia atroviridis (Bridelia), a small African tree, on the mechanical activity of rat uterus were studied. The aqueous extract of leaves of B atroviridis administered in a concentration-dependent manner (5 x 10(-6)-1.2 x 10(-3) g/ml) induced contractions that were antagonized by various calcium entry blockers (nifedipine, diltiazem, manganese chloride). In absence of external calcium ions, repeated applications of a supramaximal concentration of Bridelia (1.2 x 10(-3) g/ml) evoked sustained and repeated contractions the amplitude of which was congruent to 20% of those obtained in the physiological external calcium concentration. Bridelia-induced contractions in calcium-free medium were inhibited by isoprenaline (8 x 10(-7) M), caffeine (15 x 10(-3) M) and trifluoperazine (10(-5) M). Contractile responses induced by Bridelia in both calcium-containing and calcium-free media were antagonized by prior incubation of uterus with phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (6 x 10(-7) M), cholera toxin (6 x 10(-8) M) or pertussis toxin (5 x 10(-7) g/ml). These results show that Bridelia has a potent uterotonic action in the rat. The cellular basis of this action appears to be complex, and involves various mechanisms including calcium mobilization from both intra and extracellular compartments and activation of phospholipase C through a G-protein.

A review of the plants of the genusPhyllanthus: Their chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic potential

“…41,125,[198][199][200][201][202][203][204][205][206][207][208] It has been demonstrated by Agarwal et al 209 that two species of Phyllanthus, P. emblica, and P. niruri, were effective in antagonizing the clastogenic effect induced by nickel chloride in mouse bone marrow cells. Suresh and Vasudevan 201 demonstrated that P. emblica enhanced the natural killer-cell activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in syngeneic BALB/c mice bearing Daltom's lymphoma ascites tumor.…”

Handbook of African medicinal plants

“…308 Aqueous extract of the leaves of B. atroviridis administered in a concentration-dependent manner Handbook of african Medicinal Plants induced contractions on rat uterus that were antagonized by various calcium entry blockers. 316 The cellular basis for the uterotonic activity of the plant extract appeared to be complex and probably involves mechanisms including calcium mobilization from both intra-and extracellular compartments and activation of phospholipase C through a G-protein. 316 The β-amyrin-rich extracts of B. ferruginea leaves possess antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.…”

“…316 The cellular basis for the uterotonic activity of the plant extract appeared to be complex and probably involves mechanisms including calcium mobilization from both intra-and extracellular compartments and activation of phospholipase C through a G-protein. 316 The β-amyrin-rich extracts of B. ferruginea leaves possess antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. 317 Intraperitoneal administration of aqueous extract of B. ferruginea at the dose of 10 mg/kg produced a significant increase in urinary excretion of creatinine (p < 0.01 compared to a control) and creatinine clearance in rats.…”