Studies on Cardio-suppressant, Vasodilator and Tracheal Relaxant Effects of Sarcococca saligna

Sarcococca saligna is a shrub that is traditionally used for its medicinal properties in Pakistan. In this study we report the cardio-suppressant, vasodilator and tracheal relaxant activities of the aqueous-methanolic extract (Ss.Cr) of the plant. Ss.Cr, that tested positive for the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and alkaloids, exhibited a dose-dependent (0.3-5 mg/mL) negative inotropic and chronotropic effect on the isolated guinea-pig atrium which was resistant to atropine ($1\;{\mu}M$) and aminophylline ($10\;{\mu}M$) pretreatment. In rabbit thoracic aorta, Ss.Cr dose-dependently (0.1-3 mg/mL) relaxed the high $K^{+}$ (80 mM) and phenylephrine ($PE,\;1\;{\mu}M$)-induced contractions, indicating a possible $Ca^{++}$ channel blocking (CCB) effect. When tested against PE ($1\;{\mu}M$) control peaks in normal $Ca^{++}\;and\;Ca^{++}$-free Kreb's solution, Ss.Cr exhibited dose-dependent (0.1-3 mg/mL) inhibition, being more potent in relaxing the PE responses in $Ca^{++}$-free Kreb's solution, thus indicating specific blockade of $Ca^{++}$ release from the intracellular stores. Ss.Cr also relaxed the agonist-induced contractions in: a) rat aorta irrespective of the presence of endothelium or nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME and b) rabbit and guinea-pig tracheal strips. The data shows that Ss.Cr possesses possible $Ca^{++}$ channel blocking activity which might be responsible for its observed cardio-suppressant, vasodilator and tracheal relaxant effects though more tests are required to confirm this $Ca^{++}$ channel blocking effect.