In the last decade the genus Hypericum has achieved worldwide recognition due to the therapeutic value of H. perforatum as an antidepressant drug. Consequently this activity is the most investigated one. However, species native to Brazil have other folk uses such as for the treatment of digestive disorders, including cramps. In this study we evaluated the effect of a purified cyclohexane extract (chlorophyll and waxes free) (1,3,10 and 30 mg/mL) of H. caprifoliatum, a specie native to South Brazil, on isolated guinea pig ileum contractions induced by different mediators: serotonin, histamine, acetylcholine and potassium chloride (10-7 - 10-4 M). At 30 mg/mL all contractile responses were abolished. At 10 mg/mL only serotonin responses were altered: the extract reduced the maximal effect in 50%, which represents a non-competitive antagonism. At 1 and 3 mg/mL the extract was unable to modify all mediators response. These results point to native species of Hypericum as an interesting perspective in searching new molecules active on gastrointestinal motility.
Hypericum caprifoliatum; guinea pig ileum; serotonin; spasmolytic
