Extracts from Rhois aromatica and Solidaginis virgaurea inhibit rat and human bladder contraction.

Since extracts from the plants Rhois aromatica and Solidaginis virgaurea are being used in the phytotherapy of bladder dysfunction including the overactive bladder syndrome, and since muscarinic receptors are the main pharmacological target in the treatment of bladder dysfunction, we have investigated whether these extracts can inhibit carbachol-induced, muscarinic receptor-mediated contraction of rat and human bladder. In vitro contraction experiments were performed with rat and human bladder strips. Radioligand binding and inositol phosphate accumulation studies were done with cells transfected with human M(2) or M(3) muscarinic receptors.