Pharmacological Studies of the Bark of Commiphora africana (Burseraceae)

摘要

Commiphora africana is widely used in traditional medicine as a remedy for some ailments such as stomach pains, dysentery, heartburns and snake-bites. This study was undertaken to evaluate the pharmacological effects of aqueous extract of the stem bark of the plant on isolated rabbit Ueum, uterus and heart in order to establish the basis for the use of the plant to treat stomach disorders and some heart related diseases in traditional medicine. Pharmacological screening of the crude aqueous extract of the bark of the plant Commiphora africana (Family: Burseraceae) showed a dose dependent relaxation of the isolated rabbit ileum and antagonistic action on the effect of acetylcholine on the same tissue in the same manner as atropine. This has justified the use of the plant for stomach pains and dysentery in traditional medicine. The test on uterus revealed that the aqueous extract lacked agonistic or antagonistic action on the isolated rabbit uterus. However, it showed a dose dependent suppressing action on the rate and the amplitude of the beat of the isolated rabbit heart, a typical P-adrenergic antagonistic effect mimicking those potentiated by propranolol. This has also confirmed the basis for the use of the plant to treat heart related problems. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and tannins in the plant.