Antispasmodic and bronchodilator activities of Artemisia vulgaris are mediated through dual blockade of muscarinic receptors and calcium influx

Aim of the studyThe present study describes antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, bronchodilatory and tracheo-relaxant activities of Artemisia vulgaris to rationalize some of its traditional uses.Materials and methodsCrude extract of Artemisia vulgaris (Av.Cr) was studied in the isolated tissue preparations of rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig trachea, as well as in the in vivo castor oil-induced diarrhea and bronchodilatory techniques.ResultsAv.Cr which tested positive for alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, tannins and terpenes caused concentration-dependent (0.03–10 mg/mL) relaxation of jejunum spontaneous contractions. Av.Cr inhibited the carbachol (CCh, 1 μM) and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in a pattern, similar to that of dicyclomine. Av.Cr shifted the Ca2+ concentration–response curves to right, like that caused by verapamil and dicyclomine. Av.Cr produced rightward parallel shift in CCh-curves, followed by non-parallel shift at higher concentration with the suppression of the maximum response, similar to that caused by dicyclomine. It exhibited protective effect against castor oil-induced diarrhea and CCh-mediated bronchoconstriction in rodents. In trachea, Av.Cr relaxed the CCh (1 μM) and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions and shifted the CCh-curves to right.ConclusionThese results indicate that Artemisia vulgaris exhibits combination of anticholinergic and Ca2+ antagonist mechanisms, which provides pharmacological basis for its folkloric use in the hyperactive gut and airways disorders, such as abdominal colic, diarrhea and asthma.

The present study describes antispasmodic and bronchodilatory activities of Artemisia vulgaris, mediated through a combination of anticholinergic and Ca2+ antagonist mechanisms, which rationalize its traditional use in hyperactive gut and airways disorders.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide