3.16.1 Fruit extracts

Fig aqueous-ethanolic extract was investigated for antispasmodic effect (suppression of muscle spasms) on rabbit jejunum preparations. The extracts (0.1–3.0 mg/mL) produced relaxation of spontaneous and low K<sup>+</sup> (25 mM)-induced contractions and with insignificant effect on high K<sup>+</sup> (80 mM). Similar results were observed with cromakalim, a potassium channel-opening vasodilator. This spasmolytic activity of F. carica fruits is probably due to the activation of K+ ATP channels [2, 6].
