PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOG ICAL STUDY ON PACHYCEREUS-GRANDIS

The branches of Pachycereus grandis Rose contain several compounds hig hly inhibitory of spontaneous rabbit rejunum muscle contraction; such activity did not block the acetylcholine or histamine evoked stimulati on, although the result was not so clear for the latter. A bioactive f raction containing 2 main basic compounds, different to scopolamine, w as isolated from a lyophilized extract of the cactus. Preliminar toxic ological studies did not reveal any evident changes on animal behavior , nor other organic disorders. Besides, a dose of 500 mg/kg got under control a castor oil induced diarrhea.