Relaxative Effect of Cold Water Stem-Bark Extract of Erythrophleum Suaveolens on Frog Rectus Abdominis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Erythrophleum suaveolens is a folkloric plant claimed to be a muscle relaxant. The frog rectus abdominus muscle is a tissue that is apt for the study of neuromuscular junction activities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the muscle relaxant effect of Erythrophleum suaveolens on the isolated frog rectus abdominis muscle in the presence of acetylcholine. MATERIALSAND METHODS: Dose- response relationships (DRC) of cold water bark extract of Erythrophleum suaveolens, acetylcholine (Ach) only in the presence of E. suaveolens at varying concentrations and volumes from given stocks of 1x10- 4 in each case were studied. Responses were obtained isotonically and recorded via a dynamometer. RESULTS: Stem-bark water extract of E. suaveolens blocked the contracture effect of acetylcholine. The relaxing effect of the extract on the isolated rectus abdominis muscle was slow, though blockade effect on the acetylcholine-induced contractions decreased with increasing dose of acetylcholine. However, the effect of Ach on frog rectus abdominis muscle was dose-dependent. Effective concentrations (EC50) of Ach and E. suaveolens plus Ach were 3.16 x10-9and 2.58 x10-7g/ml respectively. CONCLUSION: Erythrophleum suaveolens is a skeletal muscle relaxant, which appears to be a potent non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker. BJM 2017; 1(1): 15–18.