EVALUATION OF ANTISPASMODIC ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TARAXACUM OFFICINALE ON CHICKEN ILEUM

Sundhararajan R., Sanjukta Sainath Singh*, Saran S., Suhail S., Sudharsanan S., Salmanul Faris S, Muhammed Umar Mukthar

Spasmodic disorders involve involuntary and excessive contractions of smooth muscles, mainly caused by overactivity of the cholinergic system and an increase in calcium levels inside cells. These contractions can cause discomfort and affect the functioning of different parts of the body. Although medicines that are made in a lab are commonly used to treat spasms, they often have side effects, which makes it important to find safer alternatives from natural sources. Dandelion, or Taraxacum officinale, has been used in traditional medicine for its health benefits, but its ability to prevent spasms has not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to check how effective the water-based extract of dandelion is in preventing spasms, using a model made from chicken intestines. The whole plant was collected, identified, and processed into an extract. It was then tested for the presence of certain plant chemicals. Spasms were created using a substance called acetylcholine, and different amounts of the extract were used to see how much they could reduce the spasms. The results were analyzed using statistical methods, with results considered significant if the value was less than 0.05. The extract showed a stronger effect as the amount used increased, with notable reductions in spasms at higher doses. The plant chemicals found included flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, and saponins, which may help in relaxing the muscles. Overall, the study shows that the water extract of dandelion has strong potential to prevent spasms, possibly by affecting the cholinergic system and reducing calcium levels. This supports the idea that dandelion could be a useful natural treatment for common spasmodic conditions.