Relaxant effect of ethanol extract of Carum carvi on dispersed intestinal smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig

Abstract

The present study investigates the direct effects of Carum carvi L. (Apiaceae) ethanol extract on dispersed intestinal smooth muscle cells (SMC) of guinea pigs. Effects of the plant extract on SMC and of acetylcholine (Ach) on extract pretreated SMC were measured by micrometric scanning technique. Three different extract concentrations (2.5 mg/mL, 250 μg/mL, and 25 μg/mL) were used. Ethanol extract of C. carvi reduced significantly the response of dispersed SMC to Ach. Pretreatment of SMC with the highest concentration of C. carvi ethanol extract (2.5 mg/mL) has significantly inhibited the response of SMC to Ach. The data obtained indicate a dose-dependent inhibition of the contraction induced by Ach. This response may explain, in part, the beneficial effect of caraway in relieving gastrointestinal symptoms associated with dyspepsia.

Keywords::

• Carum carvi
• intestine
• smooth muscle
• relaxation
• guinea pig

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Jalal Zeidan and Ismail Abaza for technical help.

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by a grant of the Deanship for Scientific Research, University of Jordan. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.