The use of medicinal plant species and their products is widespread in the field of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the traditional use of Salvia sclarea L., clary sage, finding the possible mechanisms of its spasmolytic and bronchodilator actions in in vitro conditions supported by molecular docking analysis, along with the antimicrobial effects. Four dry extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of S. sclarea, using absolute or 80% (v/v) methanol by the method of a single-stage maceration or an ultrasound-assisted extraction. Characterization of the bioactive compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography indicated the presence of significant amounts of polyphenolics, with rosmarinic acid as the prevalent one. The spontaneous ileal contractions were best inhibited by the extract prepared with 80% methanol and maceration. The same extract was superior in the carbachol- and KCl-induced tracheal smooth muscle contractions, being the strongest bronchodilator agent. The most powerful relaxation of KCl-induced ileal contractions was achieved with the extract made of absolute methanol by maceration, while the 80% methanolic extract made with the ultrasound method generated the best spasmolytic effects in the acetylcholine-induced ileal contractions. Docking analysis suggested that apigenin-7-O-glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside exhibited the highest binding affinity to voltage-gated calcium channels. Gram (+) bacteria were more susceptible to the effects of the extracts, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, in contrast to Gram (−) bacteria and Candida albicans. This is the first study to point out the influence of S. sclarea methanolic extracts on the gastrointestinal and respiratory spasm reduction, paving the way for their potential place in complementary medicine.

The roots of Gentiana lutea L. are utilized in the preparation of various beverages and herbal remedies, serving as a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal ailments. The spasmolytic activity that could substantiate the traditional use of G. lutea root had not been investigated. The main objective goal of the study was to determine the validity of its use as a traditional remedy. The extraction of G. lutea root was performed using a 50% hydroethanolic solvent with three different extraction techniques: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), heat-assisted extraction, and percolation. The spasmolytic activity was tested on isolated rat ileum. The mechanism of action was monitored using the models of spontaneous contractions and acetylcholine-, histamine-, CaCl₂-, Bay K8644-, L-NAME-, ODQ-, apamin-, BaCl₂-, charybdotoxin-, glibenclamide-, TRAM-34-, and quinine-modified contractions. UAE, having the best bioactivity, was further subjected to a liquid–liquid extraction fractionation. HPLC phytochemical analysis was performed for all tested extracts and fractions. Gentian root extracts were rich in secoiridoids, xanthones, and flavonoids. The UAE has shown better results on spontaneous contractions in comparison to its fractions, leading to the more detailed testing of its spasmolytic mechanism of activity. The extract’s activity is primarily mediated through intermediate conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels, voltage-sensitive K⁺ channels, and mechanisms that activate Ca²⁺ channels. Overall, the G. lutea root shows great potential in the treatment of spasmodic gastrointestinal ailments.

Red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) berries are rich in bioactive compounds and exhibit nutritive and protective features. This research examined the content of secondary metabolites of the red currant variety Redpoll lyophilized juice and waste extract and their antioxidative and spasmolytic effects. The flavonol and anthocyanin contents of the samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The antispasmodic effects were assessed in in vitro conditions, and the potential impact of the samples and possible action mechanisms were revealed. The results showed the prevalence of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside as the dominant anthocyanin with higher content in the juice sample. Quercetin content, as the prevalent flavonol, was higher in the waste sample. The berry juice showed a greater ability for scavenging free radicals, whereas the waste better inhibited lipid peroxidation. The juice was a superior antispasmodic agent for spontaneous, KCl-, CaCl₂-, BaCl₂-, histamine-, and acetylcholine-induced ileal contractions. This first evaluation of the red currant variety Redpoll lyophilized juice and waste extract indicated the beneficial effects of juice as an antioxidant and spasmolytic agent. Therefore, this red currant juice sample could be designated for the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

This study aimed to assess phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities of lyophilized black currant fruit juice (BCLJ) and its corresponding waste extract (BCLW) from the Čačanska crna variety, and to evaluate their antiproliferative properties. The main anthocyanins quantified through HPLC-DAD analysis were delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, with significantly higher levels in BCLW. Antioxidant activity was examined using the DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods, with BCLW showing superior effects in both. Antiproliferative potential was evaluated by determining the Ki67 index in renal epithelial cells of rats treated with BCLJ or BCLW. Thirty healthy male rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6) and administered BCLJ or BCLW orally for ten days, receiving 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg b.w. of BCLW (BCLW1, BCLW2, and BCLW3 groups, respectively) or 200 mg of BCLJ. Histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters were assessed in rats’ kidneys. Across all epithelial types (cortical proximal tubules, distal medullary proximal tubules, collecting ducts, and urothelial cells of the renal pelvis), the highest Ki67 indices were observed in control animals, particularly in collecting ducts and cortical proximal tubules. The lowest Ki67 values in cortical proximal tubules occurred in the BCLW2 group (p < 0.05 vs. control). These findings suggest that black currant preparations could be valuable functional ingredients.

Red currants (Ribes rubrum L.) belong to Grossulariaceae family and the Ribes genus. They are sweet and sour, nutrient rich berries that have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, antiseptic, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to determine the vitamin C content and antioxidant potential of fruit juices from six varieties of red currants - Redpoll, Makosta, Stanza, Jonkheer van Tets, Rolan, and Rondom. Fresh, undamaged fruits were pressed into juice and stored at -18 °C. Ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) system as well as β-carotene bleaching assay. The results showed that the juice of the Redpoll variety had the highest vitamin C content(66.52±2.9 mg/100 g juice), while the juice of the Stanza variety had the lowest content (6.23±0.28 mg/100g). The Redpoll variety juice also showed the strongest antioxidant activity (IC 50 = 1.76±0.25 mg/mL), while the juice of the Rolan variety showed the weakest antioxidant activity (IC 50 = 6.65±0.84 mg/mL). Thanks to its favorable cultivation properties and numerous potential and proven positive health effects, red currant is becoming the subject of increasing research. The results of this study can serve as an incentive for the use of red currants and their products in nutrition, as well as for the selection of nutritionally high-quality varieties.

Bilberry (Vacciniummyrtillus L., Ericaceae) is chiefly valued as an edible plant for its berries, widely consumed as a functional food, whereas the leaves, as agro-waste, remain an underutilized natural source of bioactives. The traditional use of V. myrtillus leaves is well documented, particularly for managing diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders. However, their potential spasmolytic activity, which could support such uses, remains unexplored. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the spasmolytic potential of V. myrtillus leaf extract on the gastrointestinal tract and to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action. The spray-dried 50% hydroethanolic extract of V. myrtillus leaves, obtained by double percolation, was analyzed using HPLC-DAD. The analysis revealed phenolic acids, with chlorogenic acid as the major compound, and flavonoids, predominantly isoquercitrin. Spasmolytic activity was tested on isolated rat ileum, and the mechanism of action was monitored using models of spontaneous contractions and acetylcholine-, histamine-, CaCl₂⁻, Bay K8644-, L-NAME-, ODQ-, apamin-, BaCl₂⁻, charybdotoxin-, glibenclamide-, TRAM-34-, and quinine-modified contractions. The extract’s activity on isolated ileum strips is primarily mediated via Ca²⁺ channels, cGMP, histamine, and NO pathways. Overall, this study affirms V. myrtillus leaves as a valuable source of phenolic compounds with potential for treating spasmodic gastrointestinal disorders.