Spasmolytic activity of methyl angolensate: a triterpenoid isolated from Entandrophragma angolense

Entandrophragma angolense is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine agains t several diseases including peptic ulcer. Methyl angolensate was isolated from E. angolense by recrystallization from methanol. The needlelike crysta ls were characterized and tested on isolated rabbit jejunum, guinea pig ile um and the rat fundus strip. The compound was also evaluated on the gastroi ntestinal transit in mice. The results showed that the compound exerted sig nificant concentration dependent inhibition of smooth muscle and reduced th e propulsive action of the gastrointestinal tract in mice. The relaxation o bserved did not attenuate acetylcholine and histamine induced contractions, but was found to inhibit contractions induced by serotonin, It Is therefor e suggested that methyl angolensate may exert its activity on gastrointesti nal smooth muscle ria serotonergic mechanisms.