Relaxant Activity of the Methanol Extract of Acanthus Montanus (Nees) T Anderson (Acanthaceae) on Isolated Guinea Pig Trachea

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the methanol extract of Acanthus montanus on guinea pig trachealis muscle. Methods: Guinea pig tracheae were set up in 10 ml organ baths. The effect of the methanol extract of Acanthus montanus (0.5 - 8 mg/ml) on the spontaneous tone of the trachea and carbacholprecontracted trachea in the absence and presence of propranolol, glibenclamide and procaine was studied. Results: The extract (0.5 – 8.0 mg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the intrinsic tone in tracheal preparations which was completely blocked by propranolol (3 x 10^-7 M), glibenclamide (10^-7 M) and procaine (10^-3 M). The extract (0.5 - 8 mg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of carbachol (10^-5M)-precontracted trachea. This effect of the extract was partially blocked by propranolol (3 x 10^-7M), procaine (10^-3M) and glibenclamide (10^-7M) with a progressive increase in the median effective concentration (EC50) values as follows: control, 0.66mg/ml propranolol, 1.42mg/ml glibenclamide, 1.54mg/ml procaine, 2.04 mg/ml.Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that the extract produces a non-specific smooth muscle relaxant effect mediated via β-adrenergic receptor mechanism or potassium channels.