Effect of isoorientin isolated from Arum palaestinum on uterine smooth muscle of rats and guinea pigs

The phytochemical investigation of Arum palaestinum resulted in the isolation of two flavone C-glucosides, namely isoorientin (luteolin 6-C-glucoside) and vitexin (apigenin 8-C glucoside). The effects of isoorientin on rat isolated aorta, ileum, trachea and uterus and on guinea-pig uterus were studied. Isoorientin (10(-7)M-6 x 10(-4)M) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of the amplitude and the frequency of the phasic contractions of the rat and guinea-pig uterus but did not affect the isolated aorta, ileum or trachea. The results were discussed in relation to the effects of its aglycone luteolin reported in the literature. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.