The effects of Cassia italica leaves aqueous extract on non-pregnant uterus contraction in rats

Background: Cassia italica or Senna is a wild plant distributed in south of Iran. It increased water consumption and has a laxative effect. In traditional medicine this plant has been used for the dysmenorrheal. Objective: In this study we investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Cassia italica on uterus contraction. Materials and Methods: Virgin Wistar rats 200-300g were purchased. After laparatomy, a piece of uterus (1.5cm) was excised and mounted in an organ bath (10ml) containing De Jalon (29°C) and isometric contractions were recorded under 1g tension. KCl (60mM) was used to produce contractions. Cassia italica extracts after washing were added at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml cumulatively to the organ bath and the contractions were recorded. Uterus was separately incubated with atropine sulfate (10μM), metoclopramide (10μM) and oxytocin (10mU/ml) and the tissue spasmodic effect of the extract were recorded. Results: Cumulative concentrations of the extract (0.5-4 mg/ml) increased the basal, peak and frequency of uterus contractions, dose-dependently (p