Pharmacological Effects of Peganum harmala Seeds Extract on Isolated Rat Uterus

The effects of hydroalcoholic extract of peganum harmala seeds (eps) onspontaneous rhythmic contractions of isolated rat uterine was investigated in thisstudy. eps was tested on the isolated uterus and endometrium free (i.e. strippedmyometrium) preparations. eps was found to exhibit significant spontaneouscontractions of the uterus and stripped myometrium relative to the solvent control.after recording the pattern of uterus tissue spontaneous motility, in order todetermine mechanism of eps pharmacological effects, atropine, indomethacin, orprazocin was added into the organ baths. pretreatment with atropine (70 nm) in boththe whole uterus and in the stripped myometrium preparations had no effects on theresponse to cumulative dosage of eps. calcium-free solution decreased the uteruscontractions. in calcium dose-response curves, eps in some concentrations produceduterotonic effect in calcium-free solution in the presence of kcl. this findingshowed that eps may increase calcium influx through voltage-dependant calciumchannels.