Pharmacological Activities of Vernonia glabra

A 70 methanol aerial part extract of Vernonia glabra caused a fall in blood pressure in anaesthetised rats. After the 50 µg dose, systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures decreased by 56, 66, and 61 respectively below the baseline levels. The adrenaline-like activity of the extract was not antagonised by L(-) propranolol on isolated rabbit heart. The extract caused contraction on the isolated rabbit ileum and was abolished with atropine, suggesting the presence of a compound with acetylcholine-like activity. The extract on isolated guinea pig ileum caused contraction which was dose related.