Antinociceptive and uterine relaxant activities of Viburnum toronis alive (Caprifoliaceae)

Petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanolic leaf extracts of Viburnum tor onis Killip et Smith were studied. From the petroleum ether extract, fatty acids of methyl eaters such as methyl myristate, methyl palmitate, methyl s tearate and methyl araquidonate were identified by means of GC-MS. From the ethyl acetate extract, 2-methylbutanoic, 2-methyl-2-butenoic, 3-methylbuta noic acids and 4-hydroxy-4-methylpenlanone were identified by means of GC-M S. Through the isolated organ technique, uterine relaxant was verified; and through the method of writhings induced by acetic acid, the antinociceptiv e activity of methanolic extracts and the extract in ethyl acetate were ver ified. It was found that the extract in ethyl acetate showed the greatest i n both uterine relaxant and antinociceptive activity at doses of 250 mg/kg. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.