Abstract
Effect of hot water-extracted Boysenberry leaf was studied on spontaneous contraction in rat uterus specimens in vitro. Extraction of 100g of Boysenberry leaf using 2L of hot distilled water yielded 30.2g of dried extract. This extract dose-dependently enhanced the force and frequency of contractions. These changes were dose-dependently inhibited by the cumulative addition of diltiazem, an L-type calcium channel blocker. Dantrolen, an inhibitor of the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum, markedly inhibited only the frequency of contraction. These findings show that hot water-extracted Boysenberry leaf stimulates the spontaneous contraction of the uterus by enhancing an influx of extracellular calcium into the smooth muscle cells, probably through voltage-dependent calcium channels. Based on the above findings, it was found that hot water-extracted Boysenberry leaf affects uterus function.
