Serum levels of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) and its treatment modules affect almost all organs and organ systems including vascular endothelium. It is well known that disturbance of vasoactive substances (nitric oxide - NO and endothelin-1 - ET-1) production appears in these patients. There is a small number of studies which investigated serum levels of NO and ET-1 in ESRD patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Therefore our study aimed to measure serum levels of NO and ET-1 in this population. This study included 23 ESRD patients (10 males and 13 females) treated with CAPD, mean age 55.8 ± 15.8 years. Mean duration of CAPD treatment in this group of patients was 3.4 ± 14.7 years. Besides this group of patients (CAPD), we included a second group which consisted of 30 healthy controls [14 males, 16 females, mean age 51.8 (±15.6) years]. Our results show significantly higher serum levels of NO in CAPD patients x ± SD = 19.09 ± 6.9) in comparison to the control group (x ± SD = 9.5 ± 1.9) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum levels of ET-1 between CAPD patients x ± SD = 7.3 ± 5.6) and the control group (x ± SD = 6.6 ± 4.2), (p > 0.05). From our results, we concluded that imbalance in production of vasoactive substances is present in CAPD patients. This imbalance can lead to disturbance in local blood flow control. These pathophysiological mechanisms can cause significant hemodynamic disturbance (hypertension) and atherosclerosis.

Protective effect of selenium on gentamicin-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats.

Gentamicin (GM) is a widely used antibiotic against serious, life-threatening infections, but its usefulness is limited by the development of nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to determine the protective effect of selenium (Se) in GM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Experiments were done on 32 adult Wistar rats divided into four groups of 8 animals each. The GM group received gentamicin (100 mg/kg), whereas the GM+Se group received the same dose of GM and selenium (1 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections on a daily basis. Animals in the Se group, serving as a positive control, received only selenium (1 mg/kg) and the control group received saline (1 mL/day), both given i.p. All groups were treated during 8 consecutive days. Quantitative evaluation of GM-induced structural alterations and degree of functional alterations in the kidneys were performed by histopathological and biochemical analyses in order to determine potential beneficial effects of selenium coadministration with GM. GM was observed to cause a severe nephrotoxicity, which was evidenced by an elevation of serum urea and creatinine levels. The significant increases in malondialdehyde levels and protein carbonyl groups indicated that GM-induced tissue injury was mediated through oxidative reactions. On the other hand, simultaneous selenium administration protected kidney tissue against oxidative damage and the nephrotoxic effect caused by GM treatment. Exposure to GM caused necrosis of tubular epithelial cells. Necrosis of tubules was found to be prevented by selenium pretreatment. The results from our study indicate that selenium supplementation attenuates oxidative-stress-associated renal injury by reducing oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in GM-treated rats.

Salicylic acid attenuates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Gentamicin (GM) is a widely used antibiotic against serious and life-threatening infections, but its usefulness is limited by the development of nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to determine the protective effect of salicylic acid (SA) in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Quantitative evaluation of gentamicin-induced structural alterations and degree of functional alterations in the kidneys were performed by histopathological and biochemical analyses in order to determine potential beneficial effects of SA coadministration with gentamicin. Gentamicin was observed to cause a severe nephrotoxicity which was evidenced by an elevation of serum urea and creatinine levels. The significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and protein carbonyl groups indicated that GM-induced tissue injury was mediated through oxidative reactions. On the other hand, simultaneous SA administration protected kidney tissue against the oxidative damage and the nephrotoxic effect caused by GM treatment. Exposure to GM caused necrosis of tubular epithelial cells. Necrosis of tubules was found to be prevented by SA pretreatment. The results from our study indicate that SA supplement attenuates oxidative-stress associated renal injury by reducing oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in gentamicin-treated rats.

Comparison of the hypotensive and bradycardic activity of ginkgo, garlic, and onion extracts.

The acute effect of ethanol extracts ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and onion (Allium cepa L.) on arterial blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) in anesthetized normotensive rats was examined and compared. Arterial BP was registered in the left carotid artery. The data showed that intravenous administration of the extracts produced dose-dependent and reversible hypotensive and bradycardic effects. The most effective in reducing arterial BP and HR is extract of garlic. There were statistically significant differences in bradycardic and hypotensive effects of the garlic and ginkgo extracts.

Comparative study of spasmolytic properties, antioxidant activity and phenolic content of Arbutus unedo from Montenegro and Greece.

Arbutus unedo leaf is used traditionally for gastrointestinal complaints. Ethanol extracts from Arbutus unedo collected in both Montenegro (AuM) and Greece (AuG) were found to decrease the ileal basal tonus, with AuG producing a significantly higher (p < 0.05) reduction in contractile response to acetylcholine. AuM and AuG relaxed 80 mM K(+) induced contractions and shifted the Ca(++) concentration-response curves to the right, similar to that caused by verapamil, suggesting that the spasmolytic effect was induced through calcium channel inhibition. The antioxidant activity of AuM and AuG and the phenolic content of the extracts and dry plant material were studied, and both extracts were found to possess considerable antioxidant properties. AuG showed a stronger in vitro antioxidative activity in the DPPH assay and in the TBA test. Polyphenol, tannin and flavonoid levels were higher in AuG, supporting the more potent spasmolytic and antioxidative effects, whereas the arbutin content was higher in dry plant material collected in Montenegro.

Inhibitory effect of aqueous and ethanolic garlic (Allium sativum L., Lilliaceae) extracts on the rat atria.

The acute negative inotropic and chronotrophic effects of aqueous and alcoholic garlic extracts (Allium sativum L.) on spontaneous and adrenalin-stimulated contractions of the Wistar rat atria were investigated. The addition of garlic extracts to isolated rat atria evoked negative inotropic and chronotropic effects. Ethanolic garlic extract exerts much stronger negative inotropic (58.33 +/- 14.76%) effects than aqueous extract (43.66 +/- 16.32%). The difference in frequency reduction is especially conspicuous. Aqueous garlic extract very slightly affects the frequency, while ethanolic extract reduces it by more than 40%. In addition to these effects, the positive inotropism and chronotropism induced by the addition of noradrenaline, were much more antagonized by ethanolic garlic extract than by aqueous extract. Moreover, ethanolic garlic extract establishes sinus rhythm in the atria with extrasystoles induced by noradrenaline.

Calcium blocking activity as a mechanism of the spasmolytic effect of the essential oil of Calamintha glandulosa Silic on the isolated rat ileum.

In this paper we present the results of studying the effects of the essential oil of Calamintha glandulosa Silic (EOCG) on the isolated rat ileum. C. glandulosa Silic has been used in folk medicine as an antispasmodic. EOCG (0.003-1 mg/ml) inhibited spontaneous contraction of the ileum (EC50 of 210.48 +/- 9.12 microg/ml). The calcium channel blocking activity was confirmed by inhibition of K(+) (80 mmol/l) induced contractions with EOCG (EC50 of 88.81 +/- 6.01 microg/ml). EOCG shifted cumulative calcium curves in depolarizing medium downward (EC50 of 18.18 +/- 1.87 mmol/l), similar to the effects of verapamil. Our results confirm that the EOCG shows spasmolytic action in rat ileum. The spasmolytic effect of the EOCG was due to blockade of calcium influx. One of the main components of the EOCG is monoterpenoide pulegone. Namely, pulegone (0.15-50 micromol/l) inhibited the spontaneous (EC50 of 9.02 +/- 0.08 microg/ml), and K(+) induced contractions of the ileum (EC50 of 4.05 +/- 0.14 microg/ml), and run rightward the dose response curve of calcium. Pulegone may have a main role in spasmolytic activities of the plant.

Protective effects of pentoxifylline treatment on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Gentamicin (GM) is a widely used antibiotic against serious and life-threatening infections, but its usefulness is limited by the development of nephrotoxicity. Thus, the present study was undertaken to determine if pentoxifylline could protect the kidney in this experimental model. Thirty male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into three groups, each with 10 animals. The GM group of animals was treated daily with gentamicin in a dose of 100 mg/kg for eight days. The GMP group of animals was treated daily with pentoxifylline in a dose of 45 mg/kg and the same dose of gentamicin as the GM group for eight days. The control group received 1 mL/day saline intraperitoneally. For histological analysis, 5 microm-thick sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and Jones methenamine silver. The morphometric parameters included were glomerular area, major and minor axis, perimeter, diameter, roundness, and mean optical density. Biochemical analyses were used to determine concentrations of blood urea, serum creatinine, sodium, and potassium. In the GM group of rats, glomerular basement membrane was diffusely and unequally thickened with polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, and coagulation-type necrosis and vacuolization of cytoplasm of proximal tubules epithelial cells were observed. In the GMP group of rats, glomeruli were slightly enlarged with thickened basement membrane in some segments but without coagulation-type necrosis of proximal tubules epithelial cells. Blood urea and serum creatinine concentration in the GM group were significantly elevated in comparison with the GMP group, while the potassium level was decreased. The present study indicated that pentoxifylline could provide a marked protective effect against gentamicin-induced acute renal failure, most likely mediated by vascular decongestion.

Pentoxifylline ameliorates glomerular basement membrane ultrastructural changes caused by gentamicin administration in rats.

Gentamicin is commonly used for the treatment of severe gram negative bacterial infections but inevitably cause renal failure during prolonged use. The aim of our study was to emphasize protective effects of pentoxifylline on glomerular basement membrane (GBM) alterations induced by gentamicin in rats. Experiments were done on 40 male Wistar rats divided in three experimental groups. GM-group was treated daily with gentamicin in dose of 100 mg/kg during 8 days. PTX-group was treated daily with pentoxifylline in dose of 45 mg/kg and the same dose of gentamicin as in GM-group during 8 days. The control group received 1 ml/day saline intraperitoneally. Morphometric parameter measured during the analysis was glomerular basement membrane thickness. In GM-group of animals glomeruli were enlarged and GMB was diffusely and unequally thickened with neutrophil cells infiltration. In proximal tubules epithelial cells, vacuolization of cytoplasm with coagulation-type necrosis were observed. In PTX-group of animals glomeruli were somewhat enlarged and GBM was thickened only in some segments. Coagulation-type necrosis was not found. Blood urea and serum creatinine concentration in GM-group were significantly elevated in comparison with PTX-group while potassium level was decreased. Our results suggest that PTX has protective effects on GBM and proximal tubules in GM-treated rats.

Glomerular basement membrane alterations induced by gentamicin administration in rats.

The widespread therapeutic use of the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin (GM) is limited by its nephrotoxic side effect, which can lead to acute renal failure. This study aimed at examining effects of high, supratherapeutic doses of gentamicin on morphological, structural and functional alterations of the glomerular basement membrane in adult rats. Experiments were done on 30 male Wistar rats, divided into two experimental groups. GM-group (20 rats) received gentamicin at a dose of 100mg/kg intraperitoneally during eight consecutive days. Control or C-group (10 rats) received 1 ml/day saline intraperitoneally. For histological analysis, 5 microm thick sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and Jones methenamine silver. Glomerular basement membrane thickness, glomerular area, major and minor axes, perimeter, diameter, roundness and mean optical density were analyzed. Biochemical analyses were used to determine concentrations of blood urea, serum creatinine, sodium and potassium. In GM-group rats, glomeruli were larger and glomerular basement membrane was diffusely and irregularly thickened with neutrophil cell infiltration. Glomerular area, major axis, minor axis, diameter and perimeter were significantly higher in GM-group compared to C-group rats. Opposite to this, glomerular optical density and average roundness were larger in C-group than in gentamicin-treated animals. Our results clearly showed morphological and structural alterations of glomeruli and glomerular basement membrane as well as alterations of proximal tubules in adult rats exposed to high doses of gentamicin.

The effect of calcium channel blocker verapamil on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are obligated nephrotoxins and inevitably cause renal failure during prolonged use. Experimental models of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity have shown histopathological, ultrastructural and functional alteration with blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine increase leading to acute renal insufficiency (ARI). The aim of our study was to emphasize effects of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on gentamicin-induced ARI in rats. Experiments were done on 50 male Wistar rats (250-300 g) divided in three experimental groups. G-group animals (20 rats) were treated daily with gentamicin in dose of 100 mg/kg during 8 days. GV-group animals (20 rats) were treated daily with verapamil in dose of 3 mg/kg and the same dose of gentamicin as in G-group during 8 days. The control group (10 rats) received 1 ml/day saline intraperitoneally. Histological examinations were done using hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff and methenamine silver staining methods. Morphometric parameters included measurement of glomerular area, major and minor axis, perimeter, diameter, roundness, and mean optical density. Biochemical analyses were used to determine concentrations of blood urea, serum creatinine, sodium and potassium. In G-group rats' glomerular basement membrane was diffusely and unequally thickened with polymorphonuclear neutrophils infiltration, while coagulation-type necrosis and vacuolization of cytoplasm of proximal tubules epithelial cells were observed. In GV-group rats' glomeruli were slightly enlarged with thickened basement membrane in some segments but without coagulation-type necrosis. Morphometric analyses showed statistically significant differences between the G-group and control group of animals in glomerular size, mean optical density and average roundness (p<0,05). On the other hand, morphometric analyses between GV-group and control group animals did not show statistically significant differences in any of parameters measured. Blood urea and serum creatinine concentration in G-group were significantly elevated in comparison with GV-group (p<0,05) but sodium and potassium levels in G-group were decreased compared to GV-group without statistical significance. Our results show that verapamil modify some of morphological and functional kidney alterations induced by gentamicin.

Gentamicin nephrotoxicity in animals: Current knowledge and future perspectives.

Due to high relative blood flow the kidney is prone to drug-induced damage. Aminoglycoside type antibiotic gentamicin is one of the leading cause of drug-induced nephrotoxicity. In recent years gentamicin nephrotoxicity is significantly reduced by shifting to once daily dosage as well as by eliminating known risk factors. Application of gentamicin is still related to serious side effects which are reported more often compared to other antibiotics. Because gentamicin is still heavily used and is highly efficient in treating infections, it is important to find mechanisms to reduce its nephrotoxicity. This aim can only be achieved through better understanding of kidney metabolism of gentamicin. This problem has been extensively researched in the last 20 years. The experimental results have provided evidence for almost complete understanding of mechanisms responsible for gentamicin nephrotoxicity. We now have well described morphological, biochemical and functional changes in kidney due to gentamicin application. During the years, this model has become so popular that now it is used as an experimental model for nephrotoxicity per se. This situation can mislead an ordinary reader of scientific literature that we know everything about it and there is nothing new to discover here. But quite opposite is true. The precise and complete mechanism of gentamicin nephrotoxicity is still point of speculation and an unfinished story. With emerge of new and versatile technics in biomedicine we have an opportunity to reexamine old beliefs and discover new facts. This review focuses on current knowledge in this area and gives some future perspectives.

Ventilator function improvement in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis: relation to sex differences.

Uremic lung is different entity then oedema present in cardiovascular diseases or in adult respiratory distress syndrome as well. This state is one of the possible complications in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) receiving regular hemodialysis (HD). There are several studies suggesting that in these patients in 30-40% cases pulmonary hypertension was developed. It is known that patients with primary pulmonary hypertension have peripheral airway obstruction The data also showed that primary as well secondary pulmonary hypertension are more often developed in females; even real reason is still unknown. The aim of the study was to estimate the ventilator function improvement in patients with CRF receiving regular HD related to sex differences. The study population consisted in 39 patients with CRF, with no cardiac and pulmonary diseases. These patients were treated by regular hemodialysis using bicarbonate or acetate mode, respectively. They were divided into two groups according to the sex. Spirometry parameters before and after onset of hemodialysis were recorded. The results were analyzed using Student t-test and presented as mean +/-SD. All p values <0,05 were considered significant. The result showed that ventilatory function in male patients is significantly improved, especially VC and FEV1, whereas in female patients improvement had not statistical significance. It can be concluded that one of the possible reasons for slight improvement of ventilator function in female patients is pulmonary hypertension.

Ocular and systemic factors associated with glaucoma in chronic kidney disease patients.

The goal of this study was to examine, the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and glaucomatous optic disc neuropathy in a cohort of patients from the south-east Serbia and to determine whether limited screening for glaucoma in specific subgroups of patients with CKD is reasonable and justifiable. This cross-sectional study included 328 subjects with various stages of CKD. All patients had visited the Outpatient Department of the Nephrology Clinic, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia. All patients underwent routine ophthalmic examinations. Glaucoma diagnosis based on elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), the presence of excavation of the optic nerve head (C/D ratio), and characteristic glaucomatous visual field loss (MD-mean deviation, PSD-pattern standard deviation). CKD was defined as kidney damage or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) for >3 months. A total number of 328 CKD patients, 33 (10.1 %) with primary open angle glaucoma and 28 (8.5 %) with ocular hypertension (OH), were included in the study. Patients with CKD and glaucoma had significantly higher mean values of C/D ratio (0.59), visual field mean deviations (dB)-MD (p < 0.001), and visual field pattern standard deviations (dB)-PSD (p < 0.001) than patients with CKD and OH. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis confirmed that the most significant factors related to IOP are age (p < 0.05), AHT (p = 0.01), and eGFR (p = 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis also confirmed that the most significant factors related to cup-to-disc ratio are number of years of smoking (p < 0.05), AHT, and sCr (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the prevalence of glaucoma among CKD patients in the cohort from south-east Serbia is 10.1 %. Patients with CKD and glaucoma, eGFR and current cigarette smoking are associated with IOP level, MD, and PSD of visual field and C/D ratio.

Cytoprotective effect of vitamin C against gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Since gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity has very important clinical consequences, different potentially therapeutic approaches to prevent or attenuate it have been proposed. Accordingly, this study aimed at determining the possible protective effects of vitamin C against gentamicin-associated acute kidney injury. Experiments were done on 40 adult Wistar rats divided into four groups of 10 animals each. G-group received gentamicin (100 mg/kg) while GVC-group received the same dose of gentamicin and vitamin C (200 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injections on a daily basis. Animals in VC-group, serving as a positive control, received only vitamin C (200 mg/kg), and those in C-group, serving as a negative control, received saline (1 ml/day), both given intraperitoneally. All groups were treated during 8 consecutive days. Quantitative evaluation of gentamicin-induced structural alterations and degree of functional alterations of kidney were performed by histopathological, morphometrical and biochemical analyses in order to determine potential beneficial effects of vitamin C co-administration with gentamicin. In G-group the proximal convoluted tubules showed cytoplasm vacuolation with dark inclusions in the epithelial cells and coagulation-type necrosis, while in GVC-group necrosis was not observed. The glomerular basement membrane was significantly thickened (p<0.05) in G-group animals than in other groups. Nuclear optical density of the tubular epithelial cells in GVC-group was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to G-group. Blood urea and serum creatinine concentration were significantly elevated, while potassium concentration was lowered in G-group compared to other groups (p<0.01 for each). Concomitant administration of gentamicin and vitamin C resulted in a significant reduction of morphological and functional kidney alterations.

Spasmolytic activity of the ethanol extract of Sideritis raeseri spp. raeseri Boiss. & Heldr. on the isolated rat ileum contractions.

Sideritis raeseri spp. raeseri Boiss. & Heldr., known as "mountain tea," has been widely used in the Mediterranean region as a spice and in folk medicine as a very popular decoction because of its anti-inflammatory, carminative, analgesic, antitussive, stomachic, and antimicrobial properties. The study was aimed to investigate the effects of an ethanol extract of S. raeseri on intestinal activity. Air-dried and powdered aerial parts were extracted with 96% ethanol. The rat ileum preparations were incubated in Tyrode's solution gassed (95% O(2)/5% CO(2)) at 37°C. The ethanol extract of S. raeseri (0.03-0.3 mg/mL) relaxed spontaneous contractions in isolated rat ileum, similar to that produced by papaverine. The plant extract in a concentration-dependent manner (0.015-0.15 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the contractile response to acetylcholine (P<.01). Atropine inhibited the response to acetylcholine. A similar relaxation-inducing effect of the S. raeseri extract was observed on the precontracted ileum by histamine and barium chloride. Plant extract (0.03-0.3 mg/mL) significantly shifted the histamine concentration-response curve to the right and down (P<.01). The S. raeseri extract (0.03-0.3 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the contractions induced by barium chloride (P<.01). The results show that the ethanol extract of S. raeseri can produce inhibition of the the spontaneous rat ileum contractions and contractions induced by different spasmogens. These data indicate that S. raeseri acts as a spasmolytic on intestinal smooth muscle, which justifies its use in gastrointestinal disorders.

[The risk of breast cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer in oral contraceptive users].

INTRODUCTION: Oral contraceptives, mainly combined monophasic pills, are widely used by young women who expect their physicians to prescribe them safe drugs which will not harm their health and which will simplify their life. Numerous epidemiologic studies have been performed to determine the relation between oral contraceptive use and the development of neoplasms. BREAST CANCER: An increased incidence of breast cancer has occurred simultaneously with the growing use of oral contraceptives. The possibility of a link between the oral contraceptive use and breast cancer has led to intensive research, but studies have provided inconsistent results causing confusion among clinicians. It was noticed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly elevated in current and recent young oral contraceptives users. That finding could be influenced by a detection bias or could be due to the biologic effect of the pills. The absolute number of additional breast cancer cases will be very small because of low baseline incidence of the disease in young women. Oral contraceptives probably promote growth of the already existing cancer, they are probably promoters not initiators of breast cancer. The available data do not provide a conclusive answer that is needed. CERVICAL CANCER: Numerous factors may influence the development of cervical cancer. The evidence suggests that current and recent oral contraceptive users have an increased risk of cervical cancer which decline after discontinuation of the application of medication. Oral contraceptives might increase the biological vulnerability of the cervix. Cervical cancer develops slowly over a long time period and can be effectivelv prevented by periodic cervical screening. Fortunately, oral contraceptives do not mask abnormal cervical citology. Conclusions regarding invasive cervical cancer and oral contraceptive use are not definitive but if there is any increased risk, it is low. ENDOMETRIAL CANCER: In oral contraceptive users the endometrium is almost under the influence of progestin component which suppresses endometrial mitotic activity and its proliferation. Most epidemiologic studies show that oral contraceptives reduce the risk of endometrial cancer and that this protective effect exists many years after the discontinuation of medication. OVARIAN CANCER: It has been long known that the oral contraceptive use causes protective anovulation and reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. This powerful reduction is the best demonstrated major benefit of oral contraception. This protection is especially observed in nulliparous and seems to persist for many years after the discontinuation of medication.

[Relaxant activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Nym. ex A. W Hill, Apiaceae) on isolated ileum of rat].

INTRODUCTION: Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is used in the traditional herbal medicine to treat intestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of parsley on spontaneous and acetylcholine induced contractions on isolated rat ileum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats (250-300 g) were used in this study. The ileum portions were isolated out and cleaned off mesenteries. Preparations 2 cm long were mounted in 20 ml tissue baths containing Tyrode's solution maintained at 37 degrees C and aerated with a mixture of 5% carbon dioxide in oxygen. In the first part of experiments, contractile responses to the aqueous (ethanol) extracts of parsley were recorded. In the second part, increasing concentrations of acetylcholine were added to the organ bath for a full concentration response curve and then concentration response curves were obtained after adding the aqueous (ethanol) extracts of parsley. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our results showed that aqueous (62.22 +/- 7.15%) and ethanol (79.16 +/- 9.34%) extracts of parsley in dose dependent manner decreased the tonus of spontaneous contractions of isolated rat ileum. The aqueous (32.16 +/- 2.75%) and ethanol (53.96 +/- 4.86%) extracts of parsley reduced the acetylcholine induced contraction, the reduction was greater with ethanol extract than with the aqueous one. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the aqueous and ethanol extracts of parsley exert antispasmodic activity on rat ileum. The relaxant effect of ethanol extract was better comparing to aqueous extract of parsley.