Preliminary Investigation of the Oxytocic Action of an Aqueous Extract ofLagenaria brevifloraFruit

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Abstract
The effects of an aqueous extract of Lagenaria breviflora Robert (Cucurbitaceae) fruit on pregnant and non-pregnant isolated rat uteri have been investigated. The aqueous extract of L. breviflora fruit induced concentration-dependent, oxytocin-like contractions of the gravid and non-gravid isolated rat uteri. The extract-evoked contractions of the uterine strips examined were not modified by the standard antagonists used. The aqueous extract of L. breviflora fruit failed to contract the guinea-pig isolated ileum, whereas acetylcholine and histamine contracted this mammalian gastro-intestinal tract smooth muscle in a dose-related manner. The plausible pharmacological implications of these findings are discussed.

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