Studies on Cryptolepine

Abstract

The effects of Cryptolepine have been investigated on the carrageenan induced oedema in the rat hind paw, the rat isolated perfused stomach strip and the isolated perfused lizard lung preparation. Cryptolepine (1-20 µg/ml^-1) did not inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the isolated lizard lung but it antagonised prostaglandin E² and not 5-hydroxytryptamine on the rat isolated perfused stomach strip. It also antagonised histamine and acetylcholine on the isolated guineapig ileum. Carrageenan induced oedema in the rat hind paw was inhibited by Cryptolepine (1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg^-1). The inhibitory effect is probably receptor mediated.