Najmeh Asgharzadeh - Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Parisa Zamani - Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Fatemeh Azizi - Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Hossein Amini-Khoei - Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Elham Bijad - Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Mehrdad Shahrani-Korani - Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

Background and aims: This study aimed to determine the effects of Astragalus fasciculifolius hydroalcoholic extract on rat ileum contractions: The role of adrenergic, opioid, and nitric oxide (NO) receptors. Methods: A. fasciculifolius extract was prepared using ۷۰% alcohol by maceration extraction. ۲ cm pieces from the end of the rat ileum were placed in a tissue bath containing Tyrode’s solution. The tissue bath solution is constantly oxygenated. Potassium chloride (KCl), naloxone, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), propranolol, and different concentrations of calcium chloride were used to stimulate the ileum. Ileum contractions were recorded isotonically under ۱ g of initial tension. The results were calculated as the amount of shortening (in millimeters). Results: This study showed that A. fasciculifolius extract caused a significant increase in ileum contraction compared to the control group (P < ۰.۰۰۱). This increase in contraction was amplified in combination with opioid or NO receptor antagonists (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Also, this effect was not significantly different in association with beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that A. fasciculifolius extract enhances the contractile function of the ileum in rats. This function is reinforced by opioid receptor antagonists and NO.

Constipation, Astragalus fasciculifolius, Tissue bath