Antispasmodic effect of Ephedra major extract on adrenergic and calcium channels receptors in the rat uterus

Tendency to utilize Ephedra containing products is increasing due to their favorable properties such as energetic, fat burner, decongestant etc. Due to the presence of uterus agonism α and β adrenergic compound and lack of systematic research on this issue, we conducted to determine effects of the hydroethanolic extract of Ephedra major (E. Major) host on uterus. Isolated uterus from Wistar rat (BW 220±30 g) were tested in the organ bath. Rats were anesthetized and the uterus was isolated and placed in De Jalon solution with bubbled 95 percent O2 and 5 percent CO2. Then, it was cut into segment of 1.5-2 cm and mounted in 25 ml chambers of organ bath. E. Major extract had a relaxation effect on rat uterus. According to the results, the cumulative concentration of E. Major (0.00625 - 3 mg/ml) relaxed the KCl (60Mm) - and oxytocin (0.25 Mm) - induced contraction dose-dependently (P≤0.05). The inhibitory effect of extract on contraction induced by KCl was unaffected by phenoxybenzamine (0.001 Mm). But verapamil (0.001 Mm) and propranolol (0.001 Mm) inhibited the relaxant effect (P≤0.05). The inhibitory effect of extract on contraction induced by oxytocin had synergism effect by verapamil (P≤0.05). These findings revealed that β-adrenergic receptors and presumably other channels such as Ca2 channels involves in inhibitory effect of E. Major extract. The results support the possible beneficiary effects of this plant in traditional medicine.