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

The present study aimed to evaluate the possible antispasmodic activity in vitro of methanolic extracts (ME) of six Brazilian medicinal plants. The extracts were evaluated on isolated guinea-pig ileum and rat duodenum preparations. Rubus imperialis, Maytenus robusta, Ipomoea pes caprae and Epidendrum mosenii did not inhibit the contractile response elicited by acetylcholine on guinea-pig ileum. On the other hand, ME from Calophyllum brasiliense and Cynara scolymus exhibited significant inhibitory activity for the contractile response elicited by acetylcholine on guinea-pig ileum and on rat duodenum in a noncompetitive and concentration-dependent manner. The current study suggests that, of the six medicinal plants evaluated, only the ME of Calophyllum brasiliense and Cynara scolymus show probable antispasmodic activity, confirming and justifying their use in folk medicine for the treatment of intestinal disorders.