Abstract
Chemical fractionation of Brickellia paniculata methanolic extract by monitoring its inhibitory effect on K+ -induced contraction in guinea-pig ileum in vitro led to the isolation of 5,4′-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone (xanthomicrol) and the labdane-diterpene 3α-angeloyloxy-2α-hydroxy-13,14Z -dehydrocativic acid (AAHDD). Both compounds inhibited the tonic contraction the effect being highly potent when a mixture in a proportion of 3 : 1 (xanthomicrol/AAHDD) was assayed. The phasic component of the contractile response with K+ was also reduced by the compounds. Xanthomicrol depressed the spasms induced with ACh, Hist, and BaCl2 and its effect on Ca2+ concentration-response curve showed a type of non-surmountable calcium blocking action; unlike the flavonoid, AAHDD produced a parallel rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to calcium, suggesting a competitive antagonism with an estimated pA2 of 4.66. Obtained results support, in part, the popular use of B. paniculata as a spasmolytic remedy.
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Mariana Meckes
Unidad de Investigación Médica en
Farmacología de Productos Naturales
Hospital de Pediatría
CMN Siglo XXI, IMSS
Av. Cuauhtémoc 330
Cp. 06750 México D.F.
Fax: +7-61-0952
Email: meck7707@prodigy.net.mx