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Intestinal hypomotility cause health risks and economic losses and is considered as an important digestive disorder that efforts to find prokinetic drugs can solve this major problem. This study investigated the effects of Zingiber officinale aqueous extract (ZOAE) on caecal smooth muscle contractions in healthy cows. To perform in vitro tests, cecum strips connected to the organ bath. Ginger aqueous extract caused concentration-dependent contraction in caecal smooth muscle with an effective threshold concentration of 6.00 mg L-1. The strongest contraction was caused at a concentration of 100 mg L-1 with an average contraction of 141%. To evaluate the possible mechanisms underlying the contractile effect on cecum strips, atropine, 1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide (4-DAMP) and verapamil completely inhibited aqueous extract induced smooth muscle contractions, while addition of hexamethonium had no effect on the contraction process. The lack of reduction of contractions caused by the extract in the presence of hexamethonium indicates that presence of acetylcholine-like constituents independent of nicotinic receptors. The inhibitory properties of atropine and 4-DAMP indicate that at least part of the prokinetic effect of the extract is due to stimulating the muscarinic receptors, especially M3 receptors. Also, verapamil inhibitory function proves that the extract acting by L-type calcium channels. The results suggest that the ZOAE has a potential prokinetic effect which may provide a pharmacological base to its medicinal or prophylactic use in caecal motility disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal motility disorders include increased or decreased movements. Other studies have shown that herbal components, for example, essential oils can modify the increase and decrease of gastrointestinal movements of ruminants. The 1,8-cineole being obtained from the essential oil of many plants has several effects. The present study has investigated the effect of 1,8-cineole on the contractility of bovine ileum smooth muscle. The experiment was performed on the circular smooth muscle of ileum samples taken from slaughtered cows in the organ bath. Seven cumulative concentrations of 1,8-cineole from 1.00 to 1,000 µg mL-1 were added to tissue samples. The used solution was Tyrode's solution aerated with a mixture of 95.00% oxygen and 5.00% carbon dioxide, and the temperature was set at 37.00 °C. The effects of 1,8-cineole on baseline contractions and three induced contractions with barium chloride, potassium chloride, and carbachol were investigated. The effects of 1,8-cineole, and verapamil (standard calcium channel blocker) on calcium channels were assessed. The results revealed that 1,8-cineole significantly inhibited spontaneous contractions as well as all spasmogeninduced contractions. The 1,8-cineole exerts its myorelaxant properties by inhibiting calcium channels in smooth muscle. It seems that 1,8-cineole has a good potential for producing antispasmodics or gastrointestinal motility modulators in veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tanacetum balsamita (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant previously used in human medicine to solve gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immune-modulatory, and antioxidant effects of T. balsamita have been proven in previous studies. The present study investigated the effects of T. balsamita essential oil (TBEO) on ruminant smooth muscle contractions. The experiment was performed on the circular smooth muscle of ileum samples taken from slaughtered bulls in the organ bath. Nine cumulative concentrations of TBEO from 0.10 to 1000 µg mL-1 were added to tissue samples. The solution used was Tyrode's solution aerated with a mixture of 95.00% oxygen and 5.00% carbon dioxide, and the temperature was set at 37.00 °C. The effect of TBEO on baseline contractions and three induced contractions with potassium chloride, barium chloride, and carbachol was investigated. In GC-MS analysis of TBEO, carvone was identified as a major ingredient. The effects of eight concentrations of 0.001 to 10.00 µM of carvone on all contractions were investigated under similar conditions. The effects of TBEO, carvone, and verapamil (standard calcium channel blocker) on calcium channels were assessed. The results revealed that TBEO and carvone significantly inhibit spontaneous contractions as well as all spasmogen-induced contractions. The TBEO and carvone exert their myorelaxant properties by inhibiting Ca++ channels in smooth muscle. The anti-spasmodic properties of T. balsamita can be employed for the treatment of intestinal spasms or hypermotility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal dysmotility is important in ruminants. Pulegone is a natural monoterpene ketone obtained from the essential oil of different plants. It has been reported that pulegone has an antibacterial, antifungal, and antihistamine effect. The present study investigated the effects of pulegone on bovine ileum smooth muscle contractions. The experiment was performed on the circular smooth muscle of ileum samples taken from slaughtered bovine in the organ bath. Seven cumulative concentrations of pulegone from 1 to 1000 μg ml-1 were added to tissue samples. The solution used was Tyrode's solution aerated with a mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide, and the temperature was set at 37 °C. The effect of pulegone on baseline contractions and three induced contractions with barium chloride (BaCl2), potassium chloride (KCl), and carbachol (Cch) was investigated. The results revealed that pulegone significantly inhibits spontaneous, as well as all spasmogeninduced contractions. Pulegone was able to relax the contractions caused by Cch, BaCl2, and KCl (20) at 30 μg ml-1. The anti-spasmodic properties of pulegone can be employed for the treatment of intestinal spasms or hypermotility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Tarragon [ Artemisia dracunculus L. (Asteraceae)] is used as a commercial flavoring and in perfumery. In traditional folk medicine, tarragon has been used for treatment of pain and gastrointestinal disturbances. Objective: This study investigated the antinociceptive effect of the essential oil of A. dracunculus (EOAD) in various experimental models. Materials and methods: The median lethal dose (LD50) of EOAD was estimated using the method of Lorke. The antinociceptive effect was assessed using chemical (formalin and acetic acid) and thermal (hot-plate) nociceptive tests in rats and mice. In all experiments, EOAD was administered intraperitoneally at the doses of 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. Results: In the acute toxicity test, the value of estimated LD50 for EOAD was 1250 mg/kg. EOAD (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced ( p < 0.001) the pain response in the first (59.5 and 91.4%) and second (52.5 and 86.3%) phases of the formalin test, respectively. Central involvement in analgesic profile was confirmed by the hot-plate test, in which the EOAD showed a significant analgesic activity by increasing latency time. EOAD (10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly ( p < 0.001) inhibited (89, 95, 97 and 97%) the nociception produced by acetic acid. Naloxone failed to antagonize the antinociceptive effect of the essential oil in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. It seems that mechanism(s) other than opioid receptors is (are) involved in the analgesic effect of EOAD. Conclusions: This study reported the peripheral and central antinociceptive activity of the EOAD and rationalized the traditional use of the plant in the treatment of different painful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Displacement of the abomasum is a common disease of the gastrointestinal tract in dairy cattle. Abomasal displacement has been associated with abomasal hypomotility. Therefore, it is necessary to identify effective therapeutic agents that stimulate abomasal motility in cattle. Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ) is traditionally used as a folk remedy for treatment of human gastrointestinal complaints in the northwest of Iran. This study investigated the effects of A. millefolium extracts on abomasal smooth muscle preparations from healthy cattle. The A. millefolium extracts (3 to3000 mg L -1 ) contracted the isolated of smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent manner, with an effective threshold concentration of 30 mg L -1 ( p < 0.05). The strongest contraction by A. millefolium aqueous extracts in a concentration of 3000 mg L -1 was observed and amounted to 124.90 ± 10.80% of the control treatment. This action was unaffected by pretreatment with hexamethonium and indomethacin, but strongly reduced by verapamil, atropine and 4-DAMP. The inhibiting effect of 4-DAMP and atropine suggesting that the effect of A. millefolium extracts is mediated at least partly by M 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. The results suggested that A. millefolium has the potential prokinetic effect that may prevent or alleviate dysfunctions of gastrointestinal motility.

Reticulorumen hypomotility leads to the impaired physiologic functions of the digestive tract. Prokinetic action of ginger has been demonstrated in the laboratory animals and human. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of ginger on contraction and motility of reticulum and rumen of ruminants. Collected samples of reticulum and rumen from eight sheep were investigated in vitro. The extract at the concentration of 0.1 and 1.0 mg L(-1) had no effect on any preparations. Contraction of reticulum and rumen preparations was occurred at 10.0 and 100 mg L(-1) concentrations (p < 0.05). Concentration of 1000 mg L(-1) caused a relaxation in preparations contracted with 10.0 and 100 mg L(-1). Likewise, the concentration of 1000 mg L(-1) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited ACh-induced contraction in both tissues. Six sheep were involved in electromyographic study. Administration of 40 mg kg(-1) of the extract increased the overall frequency of contractions of the reticulum and rumen at the subsequent three days with the prominent increase at the second day (p < 0.05). Results of in vitro study indicated that hydroalcoholic extract of ginger contained spasmogenic and spasmolytic constituents. The results in vivo study represented evidences that the extract may have stimulant effect on reticulorumen motility in 40 mg kg(-1) concentration.