Abstract |
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This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of a tincture of leaves of Cymbopogon citrates on vascular smooth muscle of rats. The effects on aortic contraction of a hydroethanolic tincture of leaves of C. citratus at different concentrations were assessed in endothelium-denuded rat thoracic aortic rings, pre-contracted with 60 mmol/L of KCl or 10 µmol/L of phenylephrine. The results demonstrated that the tincture extract of leaves of C. citratus induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings with an IC50 of 41.8 ± 5.2 mg/mL and 4.2 ± 1.2 mg/mL in the aortic rings pre-contracted with 60 mmol/L of KCl and 10 µmol/L of phenylephrine, respectively. In conclusion, this investigation has shown that the mode of action on the vasorelaxant effect caused by this tincture is endothelium-independent. The findings from this study provide a scientific basis for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and merits further investigations. |