Pharmacological activity of ethanolic extract of Alhagi maurorum roots

The ethanolic extract (EE) of Ahagi maurorum powdered roots was examined for its pharmacological activity and showed the following results: (1) Administration of EE intraperitoneally into mice decreased the body temperature in a dose-dependent manner. The decreases ranged from 0.2 to 3.3 °C. (2) Treatment of the frog tissue with EE blocked the action of the neurotransmitter, acetyl choline (Ach). Thus, EE seemed to act as a skeletal muscle relaxant. (3) Intraperitoneal administration of EE into the anaesthetized rats decreased heart rate by 22.5%, thus, EE seemed to be a bradycardiogenic drug. (4) The extract induced relaxations to the guinea-pig ureter and suppressed histamine-induced spasms. It seemed to possess a spasmolytic action and a ureter relaxing action that can enhance getting rid of renal stones and relieve of the accompanying pain (contraction of the ureter). (5) The extract did not possess the property of enhancing dissolution of oxalate calculi.