Nickan Research Institute Journal of Renal Injury Prevention 2345-2781 8 3 2019 09 01 In vitro effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Peganum harmala on human ureteric contractions 235 239 10.15171/jrip.2019.44 EN Majid Shirani https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4084-4403 Zahra Lorigooini https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0844-7571 Arsham Pouriamofrad https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0325-7613 Zahra Keivani Hafshejani https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4537-3081 Journal Article 10.15171/jrip.2019.44 2019 04 03 2019 05 20 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.