Direct vascular effects of plantain extract in rats

Responses of the aorta and portal veins isolated from rats to aqueous extract of plantain (Musa paradisiaca) were studied. The extract produced concentration-dependent relaxation in both noradrenaline- and KCl-contracted aortic rings. The maximum relaxation in noradrenaline-contracted rings was 52.49 +/- 6.63% and in KCl-contracted rings was 77.51 +/- 2.52% of the initial tensions developed in response to the contractile agents. The extract also produced significant (P < 0.01) inhibition of the maximum aortic contractile response to noradrenaline and completely abolished the spontaneous contractions of the portal veins. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), unlike the extract, produced contraction rather than relaxation of the aortic rings. The results show a non-specific relaxing and inhibiting effect of plantain extract on aortic and portal smooth muscles, an effect that is not attributable to its abundant serotonin content.