Intestinal smooth muscle spasmolytic actions of the aqueous extract of the roots of Taverniera abyssinica.

A room temperature aqueous extract of the roots of Taverniera abyssinica antagonized the contractile responses of the guinea-pig ileum to acetylcholine and histamine. The extract also relaxed the smooth muscle of the rabbit duodenum, abolished the pendular contractions and antagonized the effects of acetylcholine and histamine on this tissue. The results confirm that there may be a sound pharmacological basis for the ethnomedical use of the roots of this plant to treat stomach ache.