M. Aqel

Hypoglycemic Effects of the Volatile Oil of Nigella sativa Seeds

AbstractThe effects of the volatile oil extracted from Nigella sativa seeds on the levels of glucose and insulin were investigated in the rabbit. The i.p. administration of the volatile oil of N. sativa seeds (50 mg/ kg) to fasting normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits produced significant hypoglycemic effects. These effects were consistent and time-dependent. In normal animals, 15% and 23% decreases in fasting plasma glucose levels were detected 4 h and 6 h, respectively, after treatment. The same treatment produced 12% and 21% decreases in the fasting glucose levels in diabetic rabbits at the 4 h and the 6 h time intervals, respectively. The administration of the volatile oil was not found to alter basal insulin levels in all animal groups, which might suggest a non-insulin-mediated mechanism of action for the demonstrated hypoglycemic activity. The mode of action of the hypoglycemic effects exhibited by the volatile oil extracted from N. sativa seeds remains to be elucidated.

Effects of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds on the uterine smooth muscle of rat and guinea pig

The effects of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds on the uterine smooth muscle of rats and guinea pigs was tested in vitro using isolated uterine horns. The volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds inhibited the spontaneous movements of rat and guinea pig uterine smooth muscle and also the contractions induced by oxytocin stimulation. These effects were concentration-dependent and reversible by tissue washing. These data suggest that this volatile oil may have some anti-oxytocic potential.

Hyperglycemic and insulin release inhibitory effects of Rosmarinus officinalis.

The effects of the volatile oil extracted from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis on glucose and insulin levels were investigated in normal rabbits, after the administration of an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (GTT). Also, the effects of the volatile oil on fasting plasma glucose levels, were studied in alloxan diabetic rabbits. In normal rabbits, the intramuscular (i.m.) administration of the volatile oil (25 mg/kg) produced 20% (P < 0.05), 27% (P < 0.01) and 55% (P < 0.001) increases in plasma glucose levels, above those of control animals, at the 60, 90 and 120 min intervals, respectively, following the administration of the intraperitoneal (i.p.) glucose test. The same treatment also resulted in a 30% (P < 0.002) decrease in serum insulin level, in comparison with that of control rabbits at the 30 min interval. In alloxan diabetic rabbits, R. officinalis volatile oil increased fasting plasma glucose levels by 17% (P < 0.05) above those of untreated animals 6 h after its administration. These data suggest that the volatile oil of R. officinalis has hyperglycemic and insulin release inhibitory effects in the rabbit.

DIRECT RELAXANT EFFECTS OF GARLIC JUICE ON SMOOTH AND CARDIAC MUSCLES

The effects of garlic juice on smooth and cardiac muscles of rabbit and guinea pig were tested in vitro using isolated segments of aorta, trachea and intestines and isolated rabbit hearts. Garlic juice inhibited the contractions of rabbit and guinea pig aortic rings induced by norepinephrine in Ca(2+)-free and Ca(2+)-containing Krebs-Henseleit solutions. Also, garlic juice inhibited the contractions of rabbit and guinea pig tracheal smooth muscles induced by acetylcholine and histamine, respectively, in both Ca(2+)-free and Ca(2+)-containing Krebs-Henseleit solutions. Furthermore, garlic juice inhibited the spontaneous movements of rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum and inhibited the force of contraction of isolated rabbit hearts in a concentration-dependent manner. All inhibitions were reversible. These data suggest that the hypotensive action of garlic juice may be due, at least in part, to a direct relaxant effect on smooth muscles.

RELAXANT EFFECT OF THE VOLATILE OIL OF ROMARINUS OFFICINALIS ON TRACHEAL SMOOTH MUSCLE

The effects of the volatile oil of Rosmarinus officinalis leaves on the tracheal smooth muscle of rabbit and guinea pig were tested in vitro using isolated tracheal strips. The volatile oil of R. officinalis leaves inhibited the contractions of rabbit tracheal smooth muscle induced by acetylcholine stimulation and the contractions of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle induced by histamine stimulation. Also, the volatile oil inhibited the contractions of rabbit and guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle induced by high potassium (K+) solution. This inhibition was dose-dependent and reversible. Furthermore, the volatile oil inhibited the contractions of rabbit and guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle induced by acetylcholine and histamine stimulation, respectively, in Ca(2+)-free solution. These data suggest that the volatile oil of R. officinalis leaves has a calcium antagonistic property.

Effects of Nigella sativa Seeds on Intestinal Smooth Muscle

AbstractThe spasmolytic effects of an ethanol extract and the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds were tested in vitro using isolated segments of rabbit jejunum. The ethanol extract and volatile oil inhibited spontaneous movements of the rabbit jejunum. Also, the volatile oil inhibited contractions of the rabbit jejunum which were induced by high potasium (K+) solution or acetylcholine. This inhibition was dose-dependent, reversible and not affected by the addition of calcium to the organ bath. These data suggest that the plant seed has an antispasmodic effect, possibly due to a calcium antagonistic activity.

Relaxant effects of Ferula sinaica root extract on rabbit and guinea pig smooth muscle

The effects of an ethanol extract of Ferula sinaica roots on the smooth muscles of rabbit and guinea pig were tested in vitro using isolated segments of intestine, trachea and aorta. The extract inhibited the spontaneous movements of rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum and acetylcholine-induced contractions. The extract also inhibited the contractions of rabbit tracheal smooth muscle induced by acetylcholine stimulation and the contractions of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle induced by histamine stimulation. Furthermore, the extract inhibited the contractions of rabbit aorta induced by norepinephrine stimulation. These inhibitions were concentration-dependent and reversible.

Effects of an aqueous extract of Ferula ovina on rabbit and guinea pig smooth muscle

The effects of an aqueous extract of Ferula ovina were tested in vitro using isolated segments of rabbit and guinea pig intestine, trachea and aorta. The extract inhibited the spontaneous movements of rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum and the contractions induced by acetylcholine. The aqueous extract also inhibited the contractions of rabbit trachealis muscle induced by acetylcholine and the contractions of guinea pig trachealis muscle induced by histamine. These inhibitions were dose-dependent and reversible. However, the aqueous extract did not inhibit the contractions of rabbit and guinea pig aortic rings induced by norepinephrine. These data suggest that this plant has non-specific anticholinergic and antihistaminic antispasmodic effects.

The Calcium Antagonistic Effect of the Volatile Oil of Teucrium polium

AbstractThe effect of the volatile oil of Teucrium polium was investigated in vitro using isolated segments of rabbit intestine. The volatile oil was found to inhibit the spontaneous movements of the intestine and the contractions of the intestine induced by depolarization with high potassium (K+) solution. Also, the volatile oil was found to inhibit 45Ca influx in the intestine in a dose dependent manner. Our results suggest that the volatile oil inhibits Ca2+ influx through the potential dependent Ca2+ channels.

Effects of a Ferula sinaica root extract on the uterine smooth muscle of rat and guinea pig

The effects of an ethanolic extract of Ferula sinaica roots on the uterine smooth muscles of rats and guinea pigs were tested in vitro using isolated uterine horns. The extract inhibited the spontaneous movements of rat and guinea pig uterine smooth muscle and also the contractions induced by oxytocin stimulation. These effects were concentration-dependent and reversible by tissue washing. These data suggest that this plant extract may have some antioxytocic potential.