Preliminary phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Euphorbia dracunculoides, Lam.

The phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the air-dried wh ole plant of Euphoria dracunculoides Lam. the seeds of which are used as a contraceptive agent were studied in laboratory animals. The plant contains alkaloids glycosides and sterols. The drug has cholinergic and direct effects on different muscle preparations. Experiments on the isolated ileum of different species the tracheal chain and blood pressure of the dog and frog rectus muscle preparation revealed acetycholinelike action with muscarininc and nicotinic actions. The acetylcholinelike action was susceptible to cholinesterase activity. Direct activity of E. dracunculoides was demonstrated in the rat guinea pig human and canine uterus. The different actions may be due to the d ifferent active ingredients of the extract.