Relaxant effects of the aqueous leaf extract of <i>cassia occidentailis</i> on rat aortic rings

Abstract

The relaxant effects of an aqueous extract of the leaf of plant cassia occidentalis (C.O.) were investigated in rat aortic rings with or withoutintact endothelium. The extract inhibited contraction elicited by noradrenaline (NA) and Potassium Chloride (KCI) dose dependently. Italso relaxed aortic rings precontracted with 10-7 M NA and 50m M KCI. This relaxation did not require the presence of an intact vascularendothelium and was not affected by indomethacin (Prostacylin inhibitor) and methylene blue.