Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Solanum aethiopicum on isolated guinea pig ileum

Abstract

Pharmacological reactivity of guinea pig ileum to aqueous extract of Solanum aethiocpicum was determined in vitro. Extract of the vegetable contracted the isolated ileum in a dose dependent fashion. These contractions were inhibited by mepyramine (5x10 -5 M) cimetidine (5 x 10 -5 M)and atropine (5x10 -5 M) inferring that the stimulatory effects were modulated by H 1 and H 2 (histaminergic and muscarinic (cholinergic) receptors. The mechanism of action of the laxative effect of Solanum aethiopicum was observed to be more than the bulk forming property of indigestible cellulose contained in vegetables generally.