Profile of some pharmacological actions of ethanolic extract of Anagallis arvensis plant and its total saponin isolate was experimentally investigated. The extract and saponin stimulated the spontaneous contractions of smooth muscles of isolated rabbit's intestine, rat's colon and fundic strip and guinea pig's ileum. This stimulatory effect was dose-dependent. In addition, both tested extracts exerted a 5-HT like action on the isolated rat's fundic strip. Both extracts inhibited the muscle twitches of isolated frog's rectus abdominus. The extract as well as the isolated total saponin provoked a myocardial stimulation on isolated prefused rabbit's heart. Transient fall in blood press ure accompanied with increase in the rate of respiration was observed following the intravenous injection of both extracts in anaesthetized dogs. The electrocardiographic pattern (ECG) following the intravenous administration of both extracts showd decrease in heart rate, increase in the amplitude of P-wave and QRS complex, increase in the duration of P-R interval, Q-T interval and T-wave interval.
Furthermore, the extract and saponin content of the plant exhibited a significant analgesic activity in mice. Ethanolic extract in a dose of 1 mg/kg b.wt. as well as saponin exerted an antipyretic effect in experimentally hyperthermic rats. On the other hand, both extracts were devoid any antiinflammatory activity in rats.