Relaxant Effect of the Ethanol Extract of Helichrysum plicatum (Asteraceae) on Isolated Rat Ileum Contractions

Abstract

Helichrysum plicatum (Turkish Helichrysum) has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastric and hepatic disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the relaxant activity of an extract of H. plicatum flowers on isolated rat ileum. Segments of ileum of rats were suspended in an organ bath. Cumulative concentrations of H. plicatum ethanol extract induced a relaxant effect on spontaneous rat ileum contractions. H. plicatum extract caused a mean contractile response of 81.68 ± 6.17% (at a dose of 0.01 mg/mL) and 30.08 ± 9.07% (at a dose of 1 mg/mL). A similar effect was observed with papaverine (0.01-3 μg/mL). H. plicatum extract (0.01-1 mg/mL) relaxed high K + (80 mM) precontractions, an effect similar to that caused by papaverine (0.01-3 μg/mL). The plant extract (0.03-0.3 mg/mL) also induced a significant depression of the cumulative concentration response curve for acetylcholine (5-1500 nM) (p < 0.01). Atropine (140 nM) abolished the acetylcholine effect. The extract (0.03-0.3 mg/mL) reduced the histamine (1-300 nM) and BaCl 2 (3-900 μM) induced contractions (p < 0.01). Our results showed the relaxant effect of the ethanol extract of Helichrysum plicatum flowers on the isolated rat intestine Extract of H. plicatum can inhibit the spontaneous OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2010, 15 3392 ileum contractions and contractions induced by acetylcholine, histamine, barium and potassium ions.

Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Antimicrobial Activity of Helichrysum plicatum DC. Various Extracts

“…Chemically, this species responsible for the therapeutic effects of the plant. H. plicatum polar extracts are reported to possess antimicrobial, antidiabetic, spasmolytic, nephroprotective, and antimutagenic activities [13,[17][18][19][20][21].…”

The effect of the aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) on isolated rat ileum contractility

“…Activation of non-selective cation channels in the plasma membrane causes membrane depolarization and influx of calcium ions through voltage-dependent calcium channels. Another mechanism of the activation of contraction occurs due to the release of intracellular calcium 17,18 . The interactions of acetylcholine with muscarinic receptors in the intestinal smooth muscle induce a G protein-mediated signal transduction that increases cytosolic calcium ion concentration, depolarization and the contractions of the intestinal smooth muscle 19,20 .…”

The Role of Histaminergic H2 Receptors on Spasmolytic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Seeds in Isolated Rat�s Ileum

“…Different plant extracts usually mediate their spasmolytic action through blockage of Ca2+ influx. This indicates that the plant extract is preventing the increase of calcium ions and muscle tension 3 . This result is in agreement with the results of others which examined the effects of other plants on isolated smooth muscle contraction.…”

“…Also essential oil, such as a-pinene, b-pinene exhibited relaxation effect on isolated rat ileum contractions 19 . These materials have been reported to exhibit calcium antagonist and anticholinergic activities 3 . Several studies in vitro and in vivo showed that those compounds can regulate disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract.…”

“…For centuries, herbs have been used in traditional medicine to treat of plenty gastrointestinal disorders 3 . Some herbal teas act as antispasmodics 4 .…”