Abstract:
We have studied the influence of two polyphenolic
fractions – methanolic (PMF) and ethanolic (PEF) – extracted from the
leaves of the medicinal plant Asclepias syriaca upon cellular respiration.
Experiments were performed in vitro on the cells from liver, sartorius
striated muscle and stomach smooth muscle of frog (Rana ridibunda, Pall.),
determining the cellular oxygen consumption by the Warburg
micromanometric method. Polyphenol effects were different, depending on
the nature of used fraction and cellular type. Therefore, after 90 minutes of
experiencing on liver, the both polyphenolic fractions stimulated cellular
respiration, compared to the untreated control. The striated muscle PMF
has inhibited and PEF has stimulated respiratory processes. In stomach
muscle, reverse effects were noticed: PMF has stimulated and PEF has
slightly inhibited cellular respiration. The results pointed out the specific
action of these polyphenolic agents on cellular respiration and energetic
metabolism processes, also allowing the estimate of their useful
pharmacological properties.
