are oestrogen-dependent (Katzenellenbogen, 1980; McGuire, 1980). The MCF-7 cell line (Lippman & Bolan, 1975), a human breast cancer cell line, has been especially useful for understanding the mechanism of action of oestrogen. The pS2 protein (Mr 6500) is an abundant oestrogen-induced protein secreted by MCF-7 cells and found in breast tumour tissue (Masiokowski et al., 1982; Jakowlew et al., 19...

Background: Alchemilla abyssinica is a plant widely used in traditional medicine. Its wide use among the community plus already established scientific evidences for medicinal values of other Alchemilla species provided good ground for this investigation. Methods: In this research, CHCl3/EtoAc 1:1 extract of dried aerial parts of Alchemilla abyssinica, methanolic extract of the CHCl3/ EtoAc resi...

Our previously conducted pharmacological investigations led us to discovery of the strong local anesthetic activity of the compound KP-23RS. The following studies revealed that its Rand S-diasteroisomers had different activity in the local anesthetic, anti-aggregating, anti-arrhythmic and spasmolytic tests. Also the influence of KP-23RS and its diastereoisomers on the cyclic adenosine monophosp...

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between structure and spasmolytic activity of racemate and enantiomers of linalyl and citronellyl acetates, chemical constituents of several bioactive essential oils, such as Thymus leptophyllus essential oil, which contains linalyl acetate as major constituent. The monoterpene esters showed significant spasmolytic activity in guinea-pig is...

The development of intestinal-type gastric cancer is preceded by loss of parietal cells (oxyntic atrophy) and the induction of metaplastic cell lineages in the gastric mucosa. For example, mouse models have shown that spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia can develop following oxyntic atrophy through transdifferentiation of zymogen-secreting chief cells. Evolution of spasmolytic polypep...

Rotundifolone, a monoterpene isolated from the essential oil of the leaves of Mentha x villosa, is a constituent of several essential oils and known to have spasmolytic activity. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between structure and spasmolytic activity of rotundifolone and its analogues in ileum isolated from guinea-pig. Five of the seven tested analogues were found to h...

Our previously conducted pharmacological investigations led us to discovery of the strong local anesthetic activity of the compound KP-23RS. The following studies revealed that its R- and S-diasteroisomers had different activity in the local anesthetic, anti-aggregating, anti-arrhythmic and spasmolytic tests. Also the influence of KP-23RS and its diastereoisomers on the cyclic adenosine monopho...

Aromadendranes belong to a class of sesquiterpenes present in higher plant essential oils and marine animals. Although the biological activities include antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, plant growth regulatory, antifeedant, repellent and cytotoxic, there is only one precedent for spasmolytic effects. In a previous report we have shown that the aromadendrene molecule known as spathulenol, i...

zataria multiflora boiss. is used in iranian traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and menrrhalgia. the inhibitory effect of this herb on rat ileum contractions is also reported. the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zataria multiflora boiss. hydroalcoholic leaf extract (zhle) on isolated rat uterus in presence of some known uterus stimulants. pieces of virgi...