Ethnopharmacological basis for folkloric claims of Anagallis arvensis Linn. (Scarlet Pimpernel) as prokinetic, spasmolytic and hypotensive in province of Punjab, Pakistan.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The conventional naturopaths of Punjab Province (Pakistan) have trivial usage of Anagallis arvensis Linn.(Primulaceae) for cure of diarrhea, constipation, asthma as well as hypertension.

AIM: Present research was focused to discover comprehensive mechanism of spasmogenic, spasmolytic, bronchorelaxant and hypotensive folkloric usage of Anagallis arvensis Linn..

METHODOLOGY: The crude extract of Anagallis arvensis Linn. (Aa.Cr) & its (aqueous & organic) portions tested in-vitro on isolated jejunum, ileum, trachea, aorta, paired atria preparations as well as in-vivo in mice & normotensive anaesthetized rats. The responses have been noted by transducers (isotonic & isometric) coupled to Power Lab.

RESULT: Anagallis arvensis Linn. (Aa.Cr; crude aqueous-alcoholic extract) produced contractile action at low concentrations but relaxant action was observed by increasing concentrations on spontaneous contractions of isolated jejunum of rabbit. But, pre-treatment of tissue with atropine prior extract caused suppression of contractile effect indicating presence of cholinergic muscarinic response of Aa.Cr. It also triggered relaxation of high Potassium -stimulated contractions of jejunum with subsequent non-parallel right move in Ca++ CRCs. Moreover, Aa.Cr relaxed carbachol - & high Potassium - stimulated contractions in trachea of rabbit but observed relaxant effect was powerful against CCh (1 μM)- stimulated contractions with rightside parallel move of CCh-curves succeeded by non-parallel move, like Dicyclomine, having dual activities. The Aa.Cr also showed relaxant result on Phenylephrine and High Potassium -prompted contractions in endothelium intact aorta. The fractionation revealed segregations of contractile & relaxant effects in relevant aqueous & organic portions. The Intravenous administration of Aa.Cr to ketamine-diazepam anaesthetized normo-tensive albino rats resulted in decreased MABP, SBP & DBP. The Aa.Cr applied negative (-) inotropic & chronotropic action on paired atria. The Aa.Cr also exhibited anti-diarrheal action in mice against castor oil prompted diarrhea and also mitigated distance covered by charcoal meal in gastrointestinal tract in a manner comparable with loperamide.

CONCLUSION: These results revealed presence of CCB and selective muscarinic agonist activity in Aa.Cr, hence validating folkloric practice of Anagallis arvensis Linn. in diarrhea, constipation, asthma & hypertension.