Identification of Acetylcholine, Histamine, and 5-Hydroxytryptamine in Girardinia Heterophylla (Decne.)

The stinging nettle Girardinia heterophylla (Decne.) was investigated for the presence of pharmacologically active substances which could account for the typical inflammatory reaction this plant is known to produce. The extracts of the plant were tested on the biological test objects and later subjected to chromatography. The acetone-extracted material of the plant showed the presence of acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, and histamine was found in the acid-treated extract. The occurrence of a histamine liberator was not indicated.