In vitro purgative effect of Ruellia praetermissa. Sceinf.ex.Lindau (Acanthaceae).

Methanol, ethylacetate and aqueous extracts of Ruellia praetermissa initiated spontaneous contractions in the quiescent and increased contraction on the electrically stimulated ileal strip at a concentration of 30 microg/ml. The extracts produced concentration-related contractions both in amplitude and tone up till 750 microg/ml with IC(50) of 360 microg/ml (methanol extract), 425 microg/ml (ethylacetate extract) and 540 microg/ml (aqueous extract). Acetylcholine also produced a concentration-related (IC(50)=18 microg/ml) contractions of the isolated ileum. Atropine in concentrations of 3.4 x 10(-6)-3 x 10(-3) microg/ml antagonized progressively the response of the isolated ileum to acetylcholine (32 x 10(-2) microg/ml) and the methanol extract (650 microg/ml) induced contractions suggesting a mode of action via cholinergic system. Luteolin and apigenin and iridoid glucosides (taxiphilin and 8-epi-deoyganic acid) might be responsible at least in part for the observed effect.