Effect of aqueous extract of Althaea root on tracheal smooth muscle in rat

Since the spasm of the air ways is a very common syndrome in human communities the study of factors affecting contractile activity of the tracheal muscles can be helpful in the control of pulmonary obstructive diseases. Therefor; this study was designed to determine the effect of aqueous extract of Althea root on tracheal smooth muscle in rat. In an experimental study tracheas (N: 30 5mm) from healthy male rats (N: 15 Sprague Dawley 200-250 gr) were dissected and their contractions were recorded isotonically under one gram tension in an organ bath containing Kerebs-hancelit solution in 6 groups (N:5). T-test and one and two-way ANOVA were used to compare the results. Epinephrine (5µm) alone and extract cumulative concentrations (0.2 0.6 2.6 6.6 14.6 µg/ml) reduced the tracheal smooth muscle contractions induced by KCl (60 mM) dose-dependently (ANOVA P