Evaluation of the relaxant action of some Brazilian medicinal plants in isolated guinea-pig ileum and rat duodenum.

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the possible antispasmodic activity in vitro of methanolic extracts (ME) of six Brazilian medicinal plants.

Methods: The extracts were evaluated on isolated guinea-pig ileum and rat duodenum preparations.

Results: Rubus imperialis, Maytenus robusta, Ipomoea pes caprae and Epidendrum mosenii did not inhibit the contractile response elicited by acetylcholine on guinea-pig ileum.

Antispasmodic activity of fractions and cynaropicrin from Cynara scolymus on guinea-pig ileum.

This study describes the antispasmodic activity of some fractions and cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone from Cynara scolymus, cultivated in Brazil, against guinea-pig ileum contracted by acetylcholine. The dichloromethane fraction showed the most promising biological effects, with an IC(50) of 0.93 (0.