Inhibitory effects of Ledebouria ovaltifolia (hyacithaceae) aqueous root extract on contractile responses of Rat Vas deferens to K and adrenaline, pendular movement of isolated rabbit jejunum and acetic acid induced pain in Mice.

To investigate the pharmacological effects of aqueous root extract of Ledebouria ovaltifolia on Potassium and Adrenaline-induced contractions of the rat vas deferens, the spontaneous pendular movement of Isolated rabbit jejunum, and acetic acid induce pain in mice. Isolated epidydymal end of the adult male rat{200-350g],and rabbit jejunum in separate experiment were mounted in Ugo Basil organ bath containing Tyrode solution aerated with95% O2 and 5% CO2, and responses monitored through isometric transducer connected to a 2-channel dynamometer recorder The effect of extract[27.4mg/ml] was examined on submaximal dose of K & ,adrenaline, and rabbit pendular movement , similarly the extract was examined on acetic acid induced pain in mice. The extract in concentration used, produce a significant inhibition on K and Adrenaline induced contractions [height] up to 75 and 68% respectively. In most of the experiments and this effect was more marked on K than Adrenailne contractions. The extract showed initial potentiation of PDM, followed by a stepwise relaxation leading to a prolonged cessation of pendular movement thus showing dual actions., the extract prolonged the reaction time of75%[ p>0.05] over 20min observation time with no overt signs of toxicity. These results suggest the presence of spasmolytic and analgesic activities in the plant extract.(Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 10: 89 - 93, January 2007)Keywords: Ledebouria ovaltifolia, rat vas deferens,rabbit jejunum, KCl, adrenaline,