HYPOTENSIVE EFFECTS OF SOME EXTRACTS OF THE LEAVES OF MUSANGA CECROPIOIDES (CECROPIACEAE) - STUDIES IN THE CAT AND THE RAT

Intravenous administration of 0.1-0.4 ml of a 35 mg/ml stock solution of an aqueous leaf extract of Musanga cecropioides (MC) lowered the bl ood pressure of both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats and that of the cat. (P < 0.01; n = 5). In indirect (tail-cuff) blood pressure trials, oral administration of 2 ml of 35 mg/ml stock solutio n of MC also produced a hypotensive response. The hypotensive effect w as species dependent, being more pronounced in the rat and non-specifi c in the cat. The n-butanol extract of the briginal aqueous extract, c onsisting of mostly saponins as revealed by phytochemical studies also exhibited hypotensive effects in the rat and cat. These effects of MC were comparable with those of acetylcholine(Ach) and were antagonised by atropine (1 mg/ml).