Potential of Bryophyllum pinnatum as a detrusor relaxant: an in vitro exploratory study

An earlier prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial had suggested that Bryophyllum pinnatum might have potential in the treatment of overactive bladder. Here we investigated the effects of B. pinnatum leaf press juice, fractions enriched in flavonoids and bufadienolides, and a flavonoid aglycon mixture and individual aglycons on detrusor contractility as a major target in overactive bladder treatment. The strength of the detrusor contractions was investigated using porcine muscle strips stimulated with KCl. B. pinnatum leaf press juice increased the contraction force of muscle strips. Treatment with the flavonoid-enriched fraction had almost no effect on contractility, while the bufadienolide-enriched fraction and flavonoid aglycons led to a concentration-dependent lowering of the contraction force. The data indicate that several components of B. pinnatum leaf press juice may contribute to the inhibitory effect on detrusor contractility, which in turn provides support to overactive bladder treatment with B. pinnatum.