Planta Med 2006; 72 - P_059
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949859

Vasorelaxant effect of ethanolic extract from Cecropia obtusifolia in Guinea pigs aortic rings

J Cassani 1, HM Luna 1, GA Magos 2, P Tato 3, M Jiménez-Estrada 4
  • 1Departamento de Sistemas Biológicos, UA M- Xochimilco, Calz. del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, Coyoacán 04960 México, D.F
  • 2Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Farmacología, UNAM, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F
  • 3Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F
  • 4Instituto de Química, UNAM, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F

Cecropia obtusifolia (Moraceae) is a 20–25 m tall tree, which grows in tropical rain forest. It is commonly known as “guarumbo“, “chancarro“ or “trumpet“. It is widespread in México, especially in Veracruz, Oaxaca, Hidalgo and from Sinaloa to Chiapas [1]. Several species of Cecropia had been described for its different biological activities like cardiovascular, anxiolytic, and mainly hypoglycemic effect [4, 5]. However, the vascular effect of C. obtusifolia has been poorly investigated. The aim of this work was to study the effects of C. obtusifolia on the Guinea pigs aortic model in vitro.

The activity of the ethanolic extract was assayed, showing efficient relaxing activity; 3mg/mL produced 50% of relaxation in aortic rings pre-treated with norepinephrine (1 X 10-7 M). After the pigments removal, the residue was taken in water and dialyzed using molecular porous membrane with a cutoff of 3.500 Da. We then assayed again the activity in vitro, the effect was better than the crude ethanolic extract, because 3mg/mL produced 98% relaxation over pre-treated with norepinephrine (1 X 10-7 M). Further purification can be done by precipitation by salting out using ammonium sulfate and desalting by dialysis, conducing to a potential vasorelaxant agent.

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