Effects of the major alkaloid of Hydrastis canadensis L., berberine, on rabbit prostate strips

Previous studies (Palmery et al., 1996) have shown that Hydrastis canadensi s L, displays adrenolytic activity possibly ascribable to berberine (Ber), its principal alkaloid. The aim of this study was to compare the activity o f H. canadensis extract (HCE) with that of Ber on rabbit prostate strips. B oth HCE and Ber inhibited prostate contraction mediated by norepinephrine ( NE) and phenilephrine (PHE). The effect of HCE is less pronounced than that of Ber at the same dose on NE-induced prostate contraction. These results suggest that other factors with adrenergic activity may modulate NE respons e. Moreover, HCE seems to be, at least at some doses, more effective than B er on PHE-mediated prostate contraction. Studies on the effect of other alk aloids present in the extract will contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon. This study also points to a possible therapeutic use of Ber in prostatic hypertrophy. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.