M Fatehi - Edman Saffron Co. Iran
T Rashidabady - Edman Saffron Co. Iran
Z.F Hassanabad - Edman Saffron Co. Iran

The effects of petals extracts of Crocus sativus on blood pressure in anaesthetized rats and also on responses of the isolated rat vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) were studied. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. sativus petals reduced the blood pressure in a dose–dependent manner. For example administration of 50 mg/100 g of aqueous extract changed the blood pressure from 133.5±3.9 to 117±2.1 (mm Hg). EFS of the isolated rat vas deferens and guinea-pig ileum evoked contractions were decreased by aqueous and ethanol extracts of C. Sativus petals. The aqueous extract (560mg/ml) significantly reduced the contractile responses of vas deferens to epinephrine (1μ M) without any change in contraction induced by KCL (300 Mm). The present results may suggest that the relaxatory action of C. sativus petals, extract on contraction induced by EFS in the rat isolated vas deferens is a postsynaptic effect.

blood pressure, contraction, guinea-pig ileum, rat vas deferens