Effects of Trans-Resveratrol, Isolated from Smilax Aspera, on Smooth Muscle, Blood Pressure, and Inflammation in Rats and Nociception in Mice

Smilax aspera (Liliaceae) has been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of many disorders. Chemical analysis of this plant resulted in the isolation of the stilbene trans-resveratrol. The effects of this compound on rat isolated ileum and urinary bladder, blood pressure and inflammation, and nociception in mice have been examined. Resveratrol (3x10-5 -1x10-1 mg/ml; or 1.3x10 7 - 4.4x10-4 M) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in both ileal longitudinal segments and urinary bladder rings. Intravenous doses of resveratrol (0.028- 8.5 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent fall of systolic and diastolic blood pressure of anesthetized rats. Oral administration of this compound (1.3, 4.0. 13 and 40 mg/kg) decreased carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Furthermore, oral administration of resveratrol (3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) decreased the number of writhes induced by i.p. injection of 0.8% acetic-acid in mice. These effects of resveratrol and its potential as a medicinal source were discussed in the light of the reported effects of resveratrol on nitric oxide and prostaglandin synthesis