Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences Future Natural Products 2783-4662 9 1 2023 08 05 Evaluation of the effects of Astragalus fasciculifolius hydroalcoholic extract on rat ileum contractions: The role of adrenergic, opioid, and nitric oxide receptors 38 43 10.34172/fnp.2023.06 EN Najmeh Asgharzadeh https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4770-7033 Parisa Zamani https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4965-6604 Fatemeh Azizi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6842-2320 Hossein Amini-Khoei https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5029-9632 Elham Bijad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4210-8912 Mehrdad Shahrani-Korani https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1284-3569 Journal Article 10.34172/fnp.2023.06 2023 01 28 2023 06 12 Background and aims: This study aimed to determine the effects of Astragalus fasciculifolius hydroalcoholic extract on rat ileum contractions: The role of adrenergic, opioid, and nitric oxide (NO) receptors. Methods: A. fasciculifolius extract was prepared using 70% alcohol by maceration extraction. 2 cm pieces from the end of the rat ileum were placed in a tissue bath containing Tyrode’s solution. The tissue bath solution is constantly oxygenated. Potassium chloride (KCl), naloxone, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), propranolol, and different concentrations of calcium chloride were used to stimulate the ileum. Ileum contractions were recorded isotonically under 1 g of initial tension. The results were calculated as the amount of shortening (in millimeters). Results: This study showed that A. fasciculifolius extract caused a significant increase in ileum contraction compared to the control group (P<0.001). This increase in contraction was amplified in combination with opioid or NO receptor antagonists (P<0.001). Also, this effect was not significantly different in association with beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that A. fasciculifolius extract enhances the contractile function of the ileum in rats. This function is reinforced by opioid receptor antagonists and NO.