Chidume F C, Kwanashie H O, Adekeye J O, Wambebe C, Gamaniel K S
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute For Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Idu Industrial Area, PMB 21, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Jul;81(2):205-9. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00079-x.
The leaves of Cassia tora Linn. (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) were soxhlet extracted with methanol. The spasmogenic effects of the extract were evaluated on guinea pig ileum, rabbit jejunum and mice intestinal transit. Antinociceptive activity of the extract was also evaluated in the mice. The LD(50) values of the extract in mice were >2000 mg/kg i.p. and p.o. The extract contracted smooth muscles of guinea pig ileum and rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent manner. Atropine reversibly blocked this activity. Mepyramine also reduced the contractile amplitude due to the extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract increased intestinal transit in mice dose dependently. C. tora extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced the number of acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions in mice and the effect was comparable to that of aspirin (150 mg/kg i.p.). The extract also significantly (P<0.05) reduced the nociceptive response of mice to increased force (g). The effects were dose-dependent. The studies suggest that the use of C. tora, traditionally, as a purgative and in the treatment of other ailments is justifiable.
决明（豆科）叶片用甲醇进行索氏提取。对提取物的致痉挛作用在豚鼠回肠、兔空肠和小鼠肠道转运方面进行了评估。提取物的抗伤害感受活性也在小鼠中进行了评估。提取物在小鼠中的半数致死量（LD50）经腹腔注射和口服均大于2000毫克/千克。提取物以浓度依赖性方式使豚鼠回肠和兔空肠的平滑肌收缩。阿托品可逆转这种活性。美吡拉敏也以浓度依赖性方式降低提取物引起的收缩幅度。提取物使小鼠肠道转运呈剂量依赖性增加。决明提取物显著（P<0.05）减少了乙酸诱导的小鼠腹部收缩次数，且该作用与阿司匹林（150毫克/千克腹腔注射）相当。提取物还显著（P<0.05）降低了小鼠对增加压力（克）的伤害感受反应。这些作用呈剂量依赖性。研究表明，决明传统上用作泻药及治疗其他疾病是合理的。
