Cardiac and Extracardiac Activity of an Ethanolic Extract of Leaves of Isoplexis canariensis

Abstract

The paper deals with the effects of a glycosidal extract of Isoplexis canariensis (Schrophulariaceae), grown in the Canary Islands, on isolated auricle of rabbits, isolated ileum of guinea-pigs, isolated jejunum of rabbits, urinary excretion of rats and ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake by red cells. The extract produced an increase in the contraction force of auricles, contractile response in guinea-pigs ileum, hypermotility followed by paralysis in the rabbit jejunum, diminution of the urinary excretion in rats and decrease of the ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake by red cells. Except for the antidiuretic action, the pharmacological activity of the principles contained in the extract is similar to that of the digitalis compounds.