Detection and isolation of intestinal muscle relaxant substances from the root of Taverniera abyssinica A. Rich

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 312; p. 116498
• Main Authors: Seifu, Daniel, Nilsson, Kristofer F., Chawla, Rajinder, Genet, Solomon, Holst, Mikael, Debella, Asfaw, Hellström, Per M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 10.08.2023
• Subjects: Afrormosin; Animals; Bioassay; Duodenum; Fabaceae; Formononetin; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; Intestines; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Muscle Contraction; Muscle strip; Muscle, Smooth; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Rabbits; Smooth muscle; Tectorigenin; UV; Bioassay; PIC25; Afrormosin; Smooth muscle; Muscle strip; Tectorigenin; LC-MS; EFS; EOCN; GABA; SIDA/SAREC; v/v; Formononetin; HPLC
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116498

In Ethiopian traditional medicine the root of Taverniera abyssinica A.Rich is known as a remedy for sudden gastrointestinal cramping and fever. In this study we have isolated and identified the bioactive principle of Taverniera abyssinica that exerts effects on isolated smooth muscle tissues of the rabbit duodenum and guinea-pig ileum. To isolate and purify the bioactive principle from the root of Taverniera abyssinica A.Rich by bioassay-guided fractionation, HPLC purification and masspectrometry, with further investigation of its bioactivity on isolated smooth muscle strips. Roots of Taverniera abyssinica A.Rich extracted in 75% methanol/water were fractioned with a reverse phase column and then subjected to HPLC purification. Each fraction collected from the HPLC was tested for its bioactivity using electric field stimulation-evoked contractions of the rabbit duodenum and guinea-pig ileum. Finally, detailed structural analysis of the fraction displaying significant bioactivity was made by mass spectrometry. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and HPLC purification the bioactive fractions were identified. These were tested for bioactivity on isolated smooth muscle strips which showed about 80% inhibition of contractions evoked by electric field stimulation. These compounds were identified as formononetin, afrormosin and tectorigenin by using masspectrometry applying relevant standards for detection. The traditionally claimed smooth muscle-relaxing effect of the roots of Taverniera abyssinica A.Rich is essentially due the three isolated and purified the two isoflavones formononetin, afrormosin as well as the metoxyisoflavone tectorigenin, along with possibly other not yet purified bioactive substances, however with similar smooth muscle-relaxing properties. [Display omitted] •The root of Taverneria abbysinica is used as remedy for gastrointestinal cramping.•The crude extract causes profound long-standing inhibition of gut motility.•Elaborative work employing HPLC show specific fractions to exert gut inhibitory actions.•Mass spectrometry indicates primarily formononetin and afrormosin and possibly also tectorigenin as bioactive principles.