Abstract

NUNEZ FIGUEREDO, Yanier et al. Evaluation of the frozen-dried aqueous extract from Boerhavia erecta L. on the cholinegic and histaminergic transmission. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2004, vol.9, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1028-4796.

The aqueous frozen-dried extract of Boerhavia erecta L. was evaluated as regards the cholinergic and histaminergic transmission. Hartley Guinea pigs were used to extract ileum portions that were estimulated with histamine and cetylcholine with or without the presence of the extract. A previous block of the histaminergic and cholinergic receptors present in the organ was provoked to further estimulate it with the B. erecta extract. The amplitude of the organ's contractions was determined in every case. Registers were made by an isotonic transductor coupled to a Nihon Kodhen polygrapher. The aqueous frozen-dried extract of B. erecta at concentrations between 0,1 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL did not present antimuscarine activity, but it did show in vitro antihistamine effect. The B. erecta extract at concentrations from 1 to 10 mg/mL administered together with acetylcholine 3x10-3 M caused a higher contraction than the induced by B. erecta administered in an independent way and lower than the produced by acetylcholine. A similar behavior was observed after the joint administration of B. erecta and histamine 10-5 M. When the muscarine and histamine receptors were blocked with atropine and diphenhydramine, respectively, and B. erecta was added later, the contractions provoked by the latter were lower than the caused by the extract without previous block of the receptors. These results showed that the aqueous extract of B. erecta L. has both agonist and antagonist effect for histamine, depending on the concentration at which it is used, and that it has no antimuscarine activity

Keywords : Boerhavia erecta L; aqueous frozen-dried extract; ileum; asthma; acetylcholine; histamine.