Investigation of Relaxative Effect of Stem-bark Extract of Erythrophleum suaveolens on rat Phrenic Nerve-diaphragm Muscle

Background: The effect of crude extract of Erythrophleum suaveolens was studied on isolated tissues of the Rat’s phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscles. Study aimed to investigate the relaxant effect of crude extract of E. suaveolens on the skeletal muscle using isolated rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation in comparison with selected test drugs activity.

Methods: Reference drugs (Hexamethonium, Pancuronium and Suxamethonium) were used on the isolated tissues. Crude extract blocked the effect of Acetylcholine-induced contractions, thus a relaxing effect.

Results: The relaxing effect of cold water stem-bark extract of E. suaveolens is evident on skeletal muscle of rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm. The observed relaxation-pattern is closely related with that of Hexamethonium.

Conclusions: Cold water stem-bark extract of Erythrophleum suaveolens is therefore a potent muscle relaxant as claimed by traditional healers, hence could be explored as a muscle relaxant.