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DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959563
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York
Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Six Marine Microalgae on Smooth Muscle Contraction in Rat Duodenum and Vas Deferens
Publication History
1994
1994
Publication Date:
05 January 2007 (online)
Abstract
We report the effects of aqueous extracts of six marine microalgae on responses to various contractile agents in isolated rat duodenum (acetylcholine, calcium chloride, barium chloride) and vas deferens (noradrenaline). Our results suggest that only extracts of Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Skeletonema costatum, and Chlorella stigmatophora may have pharmacological potential. Extracts of these three species had spasmolytic effects on responses to the three contractile agents in duodenum. In vas deferens, P. tricornutum and C. stigmatophora inhibited the contractions induced by noradrenaline, whilst S. costatum showed a non-dose-dependent potentiation. With the aim of elucidating their mechanisms of action, we are attempting to isolate the active principles present in these extracts.
Key words
Microalgae - Phaeodactylum tricornutum - Skeletonema costatum - Chlorella stigmatophora - Dunaliella tertiolecta - Isochrysis galbana - Tetraselmis suecica - smooth muscle - spasmolytic activity