W. Borgi, N. Chouchane
Dec 10, 2009
Citations
2
Influential Citations
44
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Quality indicators
Journal
Journal of ethnopharmacology
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY The present study deals with the anti-spasmodic activity of the aqueous and the methanolic extracts of the leaves and the root barks of Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf. on male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS This activity was assessed on contractions of isolated rat duodenum, induced by acetylcholine, KCl, and BaCl(2) and compared with the effect of atropine and papaverine. RESULTS Both extracts of leaves and root barks caused significant relaxation of spontaneous contractions and produced a concentration-dependent inhibition (P<0.01-0.001) of contraction induced by spasmogenic agents. CONCLUSION These results indicate that Zizyphus lotus extracts contain anti-spasmodic constituents mediating their effect through cholinergic receptors and blockade Ca(2+) influx. This could explain the traditional use of Zizyphus lotus in the treatment of the intestinal diseases.