Effects of Crocus sativus petals' extract on rat blood pressure and on responses induced by electrical field stimulation in the rat isolated vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum

We have investigated the effects of Crocus sativus petals' extract on blood pressure in anaesthetised rats and also on responses of the isolated rat vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS). Aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. sativus petals reduced the blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. For example administration of 50 mg/100 g of aqueous extract changed the blood pressure from 133.5 +/- 3.9 to 117 +/- 2.1 (mmHg). EFS of the isolated rat vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum evoked contractions were decreased:by aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. sativus petals. The aqueous extract (560 mg/ml) significantly reduced the contractile responses of vas deferens to epinephrine (1 muM) without any change in contraction induced by KCl (300 mM). The present results may suggest that the relaxatory action of C. sativus petals' extract on contraction induced by EFS in the rat isolated vas deferens is a postsynaptic effect. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.