Anti-spasmodic effects of Zizyphus lotus (L.) Desf. extracts on isolated rat duodenum.

OBJECTIVE

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.

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.