In vitro studies of methanol and dichloromethanol extracts ofJuniperus oxycedrus L.

The present study evaluated the effect of methanol and dichloromethanol extracts obtained from the leaves and stems of Juniperus oxycedrus against neurotransmitter-induced contraction in different isolated tissues of rats and guinea-pigs. Diverse concentrations of these extracts inhibit the concentration curve response to histamine, serotonin and acetylcholine. These results contribute to explaining the use of this plant in folk medicine. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.