Essential oil from Xylopia frutescens Aubl. reduces cytosolic calcium levels on guinea pig ileum: mechanism underlying its spasmolytic potential

Abstract

BackgroundXylopia frutescens Aubl. (embira, semente-de-embira or embira-vermelha), is used in folk medicine as antidiarrheal. The essential oil from its leaves (XF-EO) has been found to cause smooth muscle relaxation. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the spasmolytic action by which XF-EO acts on guinea pig ileum.MethodsThe components of the XF-EO were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Segments of guinea pig ileum were suspended in organ bath containing modified Krebs solution at 37 °C, bubbled with carbogen mixture under a resting tension of 1 g. Isotonic contractions were registered using kymographs and isometric contractions using force transducer coupled to an amplifier and computer. Fluorescence measurements were obtained with a microplate reader using Fluo-4.ResultsForty-three constituents were identified in XF-EO, mostly mono- and sesquiterpenes. XF-EO has been found to cause relaxation on guinea pig ileum. The essential oil inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner both CCh- and histamine-induced phasic contractions, being more potent on histamine-induced contractions as well as antagonized histamine-induced cumulative contractions in a non-competitive antagonism profile. XF-EO relaxed in a concentration-dependent manner the ileum pre-contracted with KCl and histamine. Since the potency was smaller in organ pre-contracted with KCl, it was hypothesized that XF-OE would be acting as a K+ channel positive modulator. In the presence of CsCl (non-selective K+ channel blocker), the relaxant potency of XF-OE was not altered, indicating a non-participation of these channels. Moreover, XF-EO inhibited CaCl2-induced cumulative contractions in a depolarizing medium nominally without Ca2+ and relaxed the ileum pre-contracted with S-(-)-Bay K8644 in a concentration-dependent manner, thus, was confirmed the inhibition of Ca2+ influx through Cav1 by XF-EO. In cellular experiments, the viability of longitudinal layer myocytes from guinea pig ileum was not altered in the presence of XF-OE and the Fluo-4-associated fluorescence intensity in these intestinal myocytes stimulated by histamine was reduced by the essential oil, indicating a [Ca2+]c reduction.ConclusionSpasmolytic action mechanism of XF-EO on guinea pig ileum can involve histaminergic receptor antagonism and Ca2+ influx blockade, which results in [Ca2+]c reduction leading to smooth muscle relaxation.

Exploring the chemical composition, in vitro and in silico study of the anticandidal properties of annonaceae species essential oils from the Amazon

“…Previous studies with EO from leaves of a specimen of X. frutescens collected in the Municipality of Capela, State of Sergipe, Brazil, presented as major compounds the sesquiterpenes (E)-caryophyllene (31.48%), bicyclogermacrene (15.13%), germacrene D (9.66%), δ-cadinene (5.44%), viridiflorene (5.09%) and α-copaene (4.35%) [33]. The EO of another specimen collected in the State of Paraı ´ba, Brazil, was characterized by caryophyllene (23.91%), γ-cadinene (12.48%), β-ocimene (8.19%), cadin-4-en-10-ol (5.78%), δ-cadinene (5.7%), viridiflorol (4.83%) and γ-elemene (4.55%) [49]. While the sesquiterpenes bicyclogermacrene (23.23%), germacrene D (21.16%), (E)-caryophyllene (17.24%) and β-elemene (6.35%) were the major constituents of EO of a specimen collected in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park, in the City of Itabaiana, State of Sergipe, Brazil [50].…”

Chemical Evaluation, Phytotoxic Potential, and In Silico Study of Essential Oils from Leaves of Guatteria schomburgkiana Mart. and Xylopia frutescens Aubl. (Annonaceae) from the Brazilian Amazon

“…It is commonly known as red embira and is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatism and as a bladder stimulant [ 30 ]. Phytochemical studies indicate the presence of oxygenated diterpenes, especially kaurenoic acid, in its extracts [ 31 ].…”