Antispasmodic and relaxant effects of the hidroalcoholic extract of Pimpinella anisum (Apiaceae) on rat anococcygeus smooth muscle

Plant extracts are considered nowadays as potential bioactive agents that can interfere and alter different cellular processes. Pimpinella anisum L. (Pimpinella anisum) is a grassy plant with white flowers and small green to yellow seeds, which grows in many warm regions in the world including Brazil. Pimpinella anisum is a plant rich in volatile oils, which are employed in the folk medicine. A concoction of seeds in hot water is used as a carminative, antiseptic, diuretic, digestive and a folk remedy to insomnia and constipation. Furthermore, several therapeutic effects including those on digestive disorders, gynecologic, and also anticonvulsant, anti-asthma and dyspnea have been described for the seeds of Pimpinella anisum in ancient medical books.

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