Bronchodilator,vasodilator and spasmolytic activities of methanolic extract of Myrtus communis L.

The present study was undertaken to validate some of the folkloric claims about the effectiveness of the use of a myrtus communis l. crude methanol extract (mc.cr) in gastrointestinal,respiratory and vascular diseases. mc.cr caused complete relaxation of spontaneous and k+ (80 mm)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum. it caused right ward parallel shift of calcium concentration response curves. mc.cr exhibited relaxant effect on cch- and k+ (80 mm)- induced contractions in isolated rabbit tracheal preparations. furthermore,mc.cr caused relaxation of phenylephrine (1 μm)- and k+ (80 mm)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit aorta preparations. these effects were similar to verapamil,a standard calcium channel blocker. these findings could be the basis for explaining the spasmolytic,bronchodilator and vasodilator activities of the extract,through a possible calcium channel blocking activity.