Search

The acute toxicity and hypokinetic activity induced by menthofuran on the gastrointestinal tract of rodents were investigated in the present study. An absence of acute toxicity was observed. Menthofuran delayed gastric emptying at oral doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg in the experimental model of phenol red, as well as it reduced the intestinal transit at oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Interestingly, a scopolamine-similar hypokinetic effect was observed for menthofuran. In the experimental model of castor oil-induced intestinal hypermotility, menthofuran (50 and 100 mg/kg) reduced the number of loose stools as observed for the normal group. Additionally, menthofuran induced a marked concentration-dependent relaxation in rat ileum segments precontracted with KCl (EC 50  = 0.059 ± 0.008  μ g/mL) or carbachol (EC 50  = 0.068 ± 0.007  μ g/mL). These results suggest the possible decrease of calcium influx underlying the effects of menthofuran on the gastrointestinal tract, which opens the door for further study regarding this potential application for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, noting possible limitations of its use due to adverse effects in children., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Railson de Sousa Santos et al.)

Menthofuran is a monoterpene present in various essential oils derived from species from Mentha genus, and in Brazil, those species are widely used in treating gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. Considering the wide pharmacological potential of monoterpenes, including their antioxidant activity, this study aimed to evaluate menthofuran-gastroprotective activity, as well as the involvement of antioxidant mechanisms in this effect. The acute toxicity was evaluated according to the fixed dose method. The antiulcerogenic activity was investigated by using experimental models of gastric ulcers induced by ethanol, indomethacin, and ischemia/reperfusion in rats. The antisecretory gastric activity, the catalase activity, and the gastric wall mucus were determined in pylorus ligated rats. Gastric wall nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) group content, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were evaluated in ethanol-induced the gastric ulcer model. Menthofuran (2 g/kg) presented low acute toxicity and showed gastroprotective activity against ethanol-, indomethacin-, and ischemia/reperfusion-induced ulcers. Moreover, menthofuran presented antisecretory activity, reduced the total acidity, and increased pH of gastric secretion. On the other hand, a decrease in mucus content of gastric wall without alteration of gastric juice volume and catalase activity was observed. Interestingly, menthofuran increased NPSH levels and reduced MDA levels and MPO activity. Gastroprotective effects of menthofuran appear to be mediated, at least in part, by the NOS pathway, endogenous prostaglandins, reduced gastric juice acidity, increased concentration of the NPSH groups, and reduced lipidic peroxidation. These findings support the menthofuran as an effective gastroprotective agent, as well as the marked participation of antioxidant mechanisms in this response., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Naira Moura Alves et al.)