Antifungal activity and antidiarrheal activity via antimotility mechanisms of (-)-fenchone in experimental models

Abstract

BACKGROUND (-)-Fenchone is a bicyclic monoterpene present in essential oils of plant species, such as Foeniculum vulgare and Peumus boldus , used to treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Pharmacological studies report its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antinociceptive activity. AIM To investigate antidiarrheal activity related to gastrointestinal motility, intestinal secretion and antimicrobial activity. METHODS A castor oil-induced diarrhea model was used to evaluate antidiarrheal activity. Intestinal transit and gastric emptying protocols were used to assess a possible antimotility effect. Muscarinic receptors, presynaptic α 2 -adrenergic and tissue adrenergic receptors, K ATP channels, nitric oxide were investigated to uncover antimotility mechanisms of action and castor oil-induced enteropooling to elucidate antisecretory mechanisms. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in the minimum inhibitory concentration model, the fractional inhibitory concentration index using the (-)-fenchone association method with standard antifungal agents. RESULTS (-)-Fenchone (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) showed antidiarrheal activity, with a significant decrease in the evacuation index. This activity is possibly related to a percentage of reduced intestinal transit (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg). The antimotility effect of (-)-fenchone decreased in the presence of pilocarpine, yohimbine, propranolol, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester or glibenclamide. In the enteropooling model, no reduction in intestinal fluid weight was observed. (-)- Fenchone did not show antibacterial activity; on the other hand, inhibits the growth of strains of fungi with a minimum fungicide concentration of 32 μg/mL. However, when it was associated with amphotericin B, no synergism was observed. CONCLUSION The antidiarrheal effect of (-)-fenchone in this study involves antimotility effect and not involve antisecretory mechanisms. (-)-Fenchone presents antifungal activity; however, it did not show antibacterial activity.

In Silico and Ex Vivo Studies on the Spasmolytic Activities of Fenchone Using Isolated Guinea Pig Trachea

“…K + channel activation causes cell membrane hyperpolarization, Ca 2+ influx reduction, and inhibition of cellular excitability, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation [44,45]. These findings support an earlier study that found fenchone's antidiarrheal and antispasmodic effects are evoked by ATP-dependent K + channels [11].…”

“…Fenchone is a bicyclic monoterpene found in the essential oils of plants, including Foeniculum vulgare and Peumus boldus that is used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. Previous reports show that fenchone possesses antifungal, antisecretory, antimotility, and antidiarrheal activities [11]. Its antimicrobial potential was reported by Kupeli et al [12], whereas Algieri et al [13] reported the antioxidant activity of fenchone.…”

Towards a Greener Approach for Biomass Valorization: Integration of Supercritical Fluid and Deep Eutectic Solvents

“…Verbenone in vivo antidiabetic activity was reported together with the conclusion that it could reduce diabetes-associated complications such as cardiovascular disease, by enhancing lipids’ metabolism [ 44 ]. Fenchone exhibited an antidiarrheal effect [ 45 ], as well as a significant analgesic activity without inducing motor incoordination [ 46 ]. Borneol showed promising results as an effective adjuvant for improving drug delivery to the central nervous system [ 47 ], while Kong et al [ 48 ]’s in vivo study determined that borneol possessed an anti-cerebral ischemia effect.…”

A Narrative Review of the Antitumor Activity of Monoterpenes from Essential Oils: An Update

“…Fenchone, a major component of Mesosphaerum sidifolium (Lamiaceae) oil, at a dose of 60 mg/kg, induced in vivo cell growth inhibition (total viable cancer cells, tumor volume, and mass) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model through stimulation of cell cycle arrest [ 95 ]. This bicyclic monoterpene is also present in the essential oil of fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ) and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antifungal, and acaricidal properties [ 96 , 97 ].…”