The Essential Oil ofEucalyptus tereticornisand its Constituents,α- andβ-Pinene, Show Accelerative Properties on Rat Gastrointestinal Transit

Abstract

The essential oil of Eucalyptus tereticornis (EOET) has pharmacological activities but their effects on the gastrointestinal tract are yet unknown. It possesses α- and β-pinene as minor constituents, isomers largely used as food or drink additives. In this work, we studied their actions on gut motility. After feeding with a liquid test meal, conscious rats received perorally EOET, α-, or β-pinene, and the fractional dye retention was determined. EOET and its constituents decreased the gastric retention. In anesthetized rats, pinenes increased gastric tonus, while enhancing the meal progression in the small intestine of conscious rats. Both α- and β-pinene contracted gastric strips IN VITRO but relaxed the duodenum. Conversely, EOET relaxed both the gastric and duodenal strips. In conclusion, EOET accelerates the gastric emptying of liquid, and part of its action is attributed to the contrasting effects induced by α- and β-pinene on the gut.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Anti-Tyrosinase, Anti-Cholinesterase and Cytotoxic Activities of Essential Oils of Six Algerian Plants

“…campestris EO exhibited a predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes, differing from what was reported for an accession from South-East Morocco, in whose EO composition oxygenated sesquiterpenes were detected as the most abundant class of compounds, with spathulenol and β-eudesmol as the most represented [62]. For β-pinene, the most abundant compound in this EO, a broad range of biologic activities are reported, such as antimicrobial [63], anticonvulsant [64], gastroprotective [65], antioxidant [66] and neuroprotective [64]. Moreover, its combination with paclitaxel showed a synergistic effect on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), thus confirming the importance of the evaluation of the combined use of EOs rich in compounds with reported in vitro anti-proliferative activity in cancer chemotherapy [67].…”

Gastroprotective effect of alpha-pinene and its correlation with antiulcerogenic activity of essential oils obtained from Hyptis species

“…In general, our finding suggest that the gastroprotective effect of the α-pinene appears to be associated with an increase of gastroprotective factors and decrease of ulcerative factors. [ 34 35 36 ] For example, we observed that α-pinene, at dose of 100 mg/kg, reduced the gastric wall mucus depletion, protecting the gastric mucosa against acidity, bacterial colonization and mechanical force of proteolytic digestion. [ 34 ] In addition, pylorus-ligated mice subjected to α-pinene pre-treatment showed a decrease of total acidity and reduced gastric juice volume [ Table 2 ].…”

“…[ 34 35 36 ] For example, we observed that α-pinene, at dose of 100 mg/kg, reduced the gastric wall mucus depletion, protecting the gastric mucosa against acidity, bacterial colonization and mechanical force of proteolytic digestion. [ 34 ] In addition, pylorus-ligated mice subjected to α-pinene pre-treatment showed a decrease of total acidity and reduced gastric juice volume [ Table 2 ]. We also observed a decrease of gastric mucosal lesions and edema in gastric mucosal slices stained with H and E of α-pinene – pretreated mice, supporting its antiulcerogenic activity [ Figure 2 ].…”

Therapeutic Potential of α- and β-Pinene: A Miracle Gift of Nature

“…For healing, various medicinal plants and their compounds, such as monoterpenes (α- and β-pinene), have been used as an important source of therapeutic agents for gastrointestinal disorders [43,44]. In a study, Eucalyptus tereticornis -derived EO and its components, like α- and β-pinene, were used as gastroprotective agents [45]. Gastric emptying was measured after supplementation of a liquid test meal containing phenol red at varying time intervals.…”