VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT Ca2+ ENTRY BLOCKING ACTIVITY OF
HEDERA HELIX LEAF EXTRACT EXPLAINS ITS MEDICINAL USE
IN HYPERACTIVE GUT DISORDERS
ABDUL JABBAR SHAH 1*, MUNASIB KHAN 2, MANZOOR AHMAD 3, HASSAN SHER 4
1Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, University Road, Abbottabad, Pakistan
2Department of Pharmacy, Malakand University, Dir (lower), KPK, Pakistan
3Department of Chemistry, University of Malakand, Dir (Lower), KhyberPukhtunkhwa, Pakistan
4Institute of Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Swat, KhyberPukhtunkhwa, Pakistan
*corresponding author: jabbarshah@ciit.net.pk
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Abstract:
Hedera helix L. (Araliaceae Family) has traditional reputation in gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhoea and spasms. This
work investigated the pharmacological base of H. helix leaves in these disorders. In a castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model in
mice, the aqueous methanolic extract from Hedera helix leaves (Hh.Cr), has provided 18 - 84% protection, similar to
verapamil. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, Hh.Cr was found more potent against high K+ pre-contractions than
spontaneous, similar to verapamil. This suggests that Hh.Cr mediates this effect through possible voltage-dependent Ca2+
channel blockade. This hypothesis was further strengthened when pre-incubation of the intestinal tissue with Hh.Cr (0.3 - 3
mg/mL) caused a rightward shift in the Ca2+ concentration-response curves, similar to verapamil. The extract was found safe in
mice (5 g/kg). Hh.Cr possesses antidiarrheal and spasmolytic effects, mediated, possibly, through voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry
blockade and provides pharmacological reasons for its medicinal use in diarrhoea and spasm.

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