Abstract:
This study aimed at elucidating the pharmacological effects of an ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora (KPE) in animal models, including albino rats, mice and guinea pigs, both in vivo and in isolated tissues. The results showed that KPE, given intraperitoneally to mice, did not affect the motor co-ordination as seen in the Rotarod test. Mice in all groups could normally walk on the rotating bar. The results did not show the synergistic effect of KPE on the duration of pentobarbital sodium-induced sleeping time as observed the loss of righting reflex in mice. KPE delayed the movement of small intestine in albino rats as observed that KPE given orally could significantly (p<0.05) decreased the distance of charcoal movement along the small intestine. KPE at 100 and 500 mcg/ml given orally could decrease the contraction of isolated rat ileum. KPE at 100 and 500 mcg/ml could significantly (p<0.05) decrease the contraction of isolated rat ileum in response to acetylcholine. It was found that tween as well as KPE at 100 and 500 mcg/ml could significantly (p<0.05) decrease the rate of contraction of isolated right auricle from rats. However the effect of KPE was not significantly different from that obtained from Tween. The effect of tween as well as KPE on the force of contraction was not significantly different, KPE was able to significantly decrease the contraction of isolated rat aorta as well as the contraction in response to (P<0.05). It was found that Tween as well as KPE at 4-500 mcg/ml could significantly (p<0.05) decrease the contraction of isolated rat trachea. KPE seemed to decrease the contraction more than that obtained from tween. It was found that Tween as well as KPE at 500 mcg/ml could significantly (p<0.05) decrease the contraction of isolated rat corpus carvernosum. However the effect of KPE was not significantly different from that obtained from Tween. KPE at 100 JUg/ml given prior to norepinephrine(NE) could not decrease the contraction in response to NE but not at the concentration of 1x10-8M . Whereas KPE at 100 µg/ml given after NE could significantly (p<0.05) decrease the concentration induced by NE. In conclusion, various tissues were differently responsive to Tween as well as KPE. KPE itself showed smooth muscle relaxation effects on the intestine and blood vessel. This effect might be suggestive to the development of therapeutic drugs. However the mechanism of smooth muscle relaxation should be further elucidation.