Effect of Salvia sahendica Extracts on Neuromuscular Transmission in Chick Biventer Cervicis Muscle

The Salvia sahendica, a known folk medicine, possesses antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer properties and the improvement effect on the memory system. Because memory improving effects of the other species of this genus (salvia officinalis) is mediated by interacting with muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic systems. It seems that S. sahendica may also follow the same mechanisms.The purpose of the present study is to investigate the anticholinesterase effect of Salvia sahendica extracts,in the pharmacologic methods. Method: The study was done by using the Dose-response curves and Twitch tension techniques in chick biventer cervicis. The ability of extracts to modulate cholinesterase activity were assessed by obtaining concentration–response curves to acetylcholine and carbacol in the absence or presence of extracts. The isolated tissues were exposed to extracts (methanol, dichloromethane and hexane extracts) and responses were recorded, with p < 0.05 indicating significance. Results: Based on our finding, methanol extract of S. sahendica, has not significant change in the dose-response curve for acetylcholine, enzyme but elicited reduction effect at carbacol dose-response curve. All other extracts showed the significant reduction in Dose-response curves and Twitch tension. There was a direct relationship between hexane extract´s concentration and reduction of contraction on log dose-response curves for acetylcholine and carbachol. Hexane extract (75µg/ml) blocked muscle twitching and yield in a complete blockage in the presence of tubocurarine, dichloromethane extract decreased twitch height. The effect of tubocurarine was not abolished by extract but also had cumulative effects. Conclusion: These results suggest that the relaxant effects of S. sahendica extracts on neuromuscular junction are elicited by post junctionally and curare–mimetic effects. It seems that, methanol extract has anticholinsterase activity but this effect will be affected by the inhibitory effect of the extract and inhibited.