Abstract
Introduction: Ureteral obstruction by stones is one of the most common urological problems.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of hydroalcoholic extract of
Peganum harmala L. on the contraction of the human ureter.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 28 samples of human ureter tissue were studied. Six
tissue samples were examined for the evaluation of P. harmala extract at concentrations of
1, 2, and 4 mg/mL. Moreover, five tissue samples were examined for checking NaCl solution
since, six pieces of tissue for the examination of prazosin 10-8M solution.
Results: There was a significant difference between the second contraction of P. harmala
group with concentration of 4 mg/mL and NaCl group (P<0.001). Additionally, a significant
difference between the prazosin and P. harmala groups with a concentration of 4 mg/mL
(P=0.048) was observed. There is a marginal difference between the secondary contractions
in two groups. A significant decrease in secondary contraction (15 minutes after adding
the solution) was observed between the prazosin group and the P. harmala group at a
concentration of 1 mg/mL (P<0.001). Moreover, the secondary contraction of the prazosin
group showed a significant decrease compared with the NaCl group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Administration of P. harmala extract can be useful in reducing urinary human
ureteric contractions while the best effect was achieved at 4 mg/mL of P. harmala extract.