The effect of the whole extract of common ivy (Hedera helix) leaves and selected active substances on the motoric activity of rat isolated stomach strips

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The long tradition of using the dry extract of Hedera helix (common ivy) leaves in traditional and contemporary alternative medicine caused that many biological and pharmacological studies have been aimed at evaluating the effects of ivy. Some of the results suggest that Hedera helix extract possesses bronchodilatatory and antispasmodic activity. On the other hand, the symptoms of ivy intoxication in human and animals, as well as adverse-reactions observed during the therapy with ivy-based pharmaceuticals, indicate rather stimulant effect of the plant on smooth muscle. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two main active substances extracted from the plant (alpha-hederin and hederacoside C) and the whole dry extract of Hedera helix on the gut motility. Materials and methods: The experiments were carried out on isolated stomach corpus and fundus strips. The tissues were isolated from rats. The experiments were performed in isotonic conditions. The results are expressed as the percent of the reaction caused by a reference contractile substance, acetylcholine. Results and conclusions: The obtained results revealed that alpha-hederin applied in the concentration ranged from 25 to 320 mu M significantly changed the spontaneous motoric activity of rat stomach smooth muscle. The observed reaction had always the same character, a contraction, and its force was concentration dependent. The second tested saponin, hederacoside C, did not alter the motility of rat isolated stomach corpus and fundus strips when administered in the concentration up to 100 mu M, however, if applied in the concentration of 350 mu M it induced a remarkable concentration of smooth muscle. Eventually, the whole extract of Hedera helix in a dose containing 601 mu M of hederacoside C produced a strong contraction which strength was comparable with the reaction generated by acetylcholine. According to the results, it is very likely that alpha-hederin, but not hederacoside C contributes to the contractile response of isolated stomach corpus and fundus strips to the application of Hedera helix leaves' extract. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.