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Planta Med 1983; 48(5): 48-51
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-969877
Research Articles

© Hippokrates Verlag Stuttgart

Studies on Cryptolepine

Effect of Cryptolepine on Smooth Muscle Contractions and Cholinergic Nerve Transmission of Isolated Guinea-Pig IleumB. K. Noamesi, S. O. A. Bamgbose
  • Dept. of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
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Publication History

1980

1982

Publication Date:
26 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Cryptolepine, an alkaloid of Cryptolepsis sanguinolenta, reduced the response of the guinea-pig ileum to both acetylcholine and prostaglandin E2. It also reduced the twitch response of the ileum evoked by coaxial electrical stimulation. The calculated pA2 value for the crytolepine/acetylcholine interaction was 6.2. The cryptolepine/prostaglandin E2 interaction was non-competitive. Very high concentrations of the alkaloid (200 µg to 800 µg ml-1) induced a slight non-specific contraction of the ileum. The involvement of Cryptolepine in 1. direct smooth muscle contraction, 2. cholinergic nerve transmissions and 3. modification of the modulatory role of prostaglandins in cholinergic nerve transmission in guinea-pig ileum is suggested.

Key Word Index

Cryptolepine, Antagonism, Coaxial stimulation, Acetylcholine, Prostaglandin E2 - Guinea-pig ileum