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Objectives: Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) is a plant, which is used in traditional medicine in Africa to treat many diseases. In this study, we want to further investigate the effects of an aqueous extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark (SEA) on the contractile activity of the isolated aorta of guinea-pig. Methods: Isolated aorta obtained from guinea-pig was placed in physiological solution (Mac Ewen). Experiments were performed in preparations suspended between two L-shaped stainless steel hooks in a 10 ml organ bath containing Mac Ewen solution. The isometric contractile force of the aorta strips of guinea-pig were recorded by using a strain gauge. Some experiments were performed on the resting baseline of the endothelium intact as well as denuded preparations. Results: The effects of an extract of Bridelia ferruginea (SEA) were studied on the isolated aorta of guinea pig. SEA (10-2 - 3.10-1 mg/ml) induced vasorelaxation effect in concentration dependent as acetylcholine. The vasorelaxant effects of SEA in the isolated, endothelium-intact aortic were significantly reduced after the pre-treatment with L-NNA (10-6 mg/ml) and diclofenac (10-6 mg/ml) which are respectively a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and cyclooxygenase inhibitor. SEA as acetylcholine did not relax endothelium-denuded aortic preparations. The both substances induced vasoconstrictions on this preparation. Conclusion: The vasorelaxant action of SEA is endothelium dependent, and is, therefore, possibly dependent on the synthesis and release of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase, according to response observed in the presence of L-NNA and diclofenac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]