PHARMACOLOGY OF AFRICAN MEDICINAL PLANTS: NEURO MUSULAR AND CARDIOVASCULAR PROPERTIES OF SEGURIDACA LONGIPENDUNCULATA

Abstract

The neuromuscular and cardiovascular properties of 60% methanol extract of the root bark of Securidaca longipedunculata (Fresen.) have been examined in vitro and in vivo, using laboratory anaimal models. The extract (MESL) at 50-250 mg/ml inhibited or abolished contractions of the frog rectus abdominis muscle preparations induced by acetycholine (Ach), arbachol, or nicotine (0.1-10mg/ml) in a dose dependent manner. The same concentrations of the extract always depressed or a bolished indirect or direct electrical stimulation-induced maximal twitches of the chick biventer or rat hemidiaphragm muscle preparations in a concentration-related manner. MESL provoked neuromuscular blockade was only partially reversed by physostigmine (PHY, 5-10mg/ml), which rapidly and completely reversed the neuromuscular blockade, instituted by d-tubocurarine (dTC, 1-10mg/ml). Nevertheless, exogenous administration of calcium (Ca²⁺2+

Key Words: Securidaca longipedunculata; Polygalaceae; Root Bark; Methanolic Extract; Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Properties


Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.4 2000:30-36