Helichrysum plicatum (Turkish Helichrysum) has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastric and hepatic disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the relaxant activity of an extract of H. plicatum flowers on isolated rat ileum. Segments of ileum of rats were suspended in an organ bath. Cumulative concentrations of H. plicatum ethanol extract induced a relaxant effect on spontaneous rat ileum contractions. H. plicatum extract caused a mean contractile response of 81.68 ± 6.17% (at a dose of 0.01 mg/mL) and 30.08 ± 9.07% (at a dose of 1 mg/mL). A similar effect was observed with papaverine (0.01–3 μg/mL). H. plicatum extract (0.01–1 mg/mL) relaxed high K⁺ (80 mM) precontractions, an effect similar to that caused by papaverine (0.01–3 μg/mL). The plant extract (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) also induced a significant depression of the cumulative concentration response curve for acetylcholine (5–1500 nM) (p < 0.01). Atropine (140 nM) abolished the acetylcholine effect. The extract (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) reduced the histamine (1–300 nM) and BaCl₂ (3–900 μM) induced contractions (p < 0.01). Our results showed the relaxant effect of the ethanol extract of Helichrysum plicatum flowers on the isolated rat intestine Extract of H. plicatum can inhibit the spontaneous ileum contractions and contractions induced by acetylcholine, histamine, barium and potassium ions.

Sideritis raeseri spp. raeseri Boiss. & Heldr., known as “mountain tea,” has been widely used in the Mediterranean region as a spice and in folk medicine as a very popular decoction because of its anti-inflammatory, carminative, analgesic, antitussive, stomachic, and antimicrobial properties. The study was aimed to investigate the effects of an ethanol extract of S. raeseri on intestinal activity. Air-dried and powdered aerial parts were extracted with 96% ethanol. The rat ileum preparations were incubated in Tyrode's solution gassed (95% O₂/5% CO₂) at 37°C. The ethanol extract of S. raeseri (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) relaxed spontaneous contractions in isolated rat ileum, similar to that produced by papaverine. The plant extract in a concentration-dependent manner (0.015–0.15 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the contractile response to acetylcholine (P<.01). Atropine inhibited the response to acetylcholine. A similar relaxation-inducing effect of the S. raeseri extract was observed on the precontracted ileum by histamine and barium chloride. Plant extract (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) significantly shifted the histamine concentration–response curve to the right and down (P<.01). The S. raeseri extract (0.03–0.3 mg/mL) significantly inhibited the contractions induced by barium chloride (P<.01). The results show that the ethanol extract of S. raeseri can produce inhibition of the the spontaneous rat ileum contractions and contractions induced by different spasmogens. These data indicate that S. raeseri acts as a spasmolytic on intestinal smooth muscle, which justifies its use in gastrointestinal disorders.

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.

Background/Aim. The fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Apiaceae) has a long history of use as traditional herb medicine due to its carminative properties. The study was aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts on intestinal activity. Methods. Relaxant activity of aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts was evaluated in vitro in three experimental models: spontaneous contraction, acetylcholine and potassium chloride (KCl)-induced contraction of an isolated rat ileum. The composition of aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts was qualitatively analyzed using the high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. Results. In the presence of an aqueous fennel stem extract at a concentration of 3 mg/mL, the inhibition of the spontaneous contractions of isolated rat ileum was 35.05% ? 3.57%. In presence of a methanol fennel stem extract at the same concentration, the maximum reduction of the spontaneous contractions was 48.91% ? 6.31%. The extracts in a concentration- dependent manner significantly inhibited the acetylcholine and KCl induced contractions of the isolated rat ileum (p < 0.01). The following components were identified in fennel methanol stem extract: 3-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, rutin, miquelianin, quercetin heterosides, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 1,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, apigenin and rosmarinic acid. In an aqueous extract, their presence is found in trace amounts. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that the aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts have spasmolytic effects on the intestinal smooth muscle and may be used for the control of intestinal motility.

The study aimed to investigate the protective effects of chokeberry fruit products and by-products against cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats. Potential mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were examined through biochemical and histopathological analyses of kidney tissue. Chokeberry waste, along with the whole fruit extract and juice, was evaluated as a potential raw material for pharmaceutical use. The chemical composition of chokeberry juice and extracts was analyzed using spectrophotometry and HPLC. Rats were treated with chokeberry preparations via intragastric tube for ten days, with a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (8 mg/kg BW) administered on the third day. Post-sacrifice, plasma samples were analyzed for biochemical nephrotoxicity markers, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers. Kidneys were removed for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity was confirmed by elevated plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Additionally, lipid peroxidation was significantly elevated, while reduced glutathione and catalase activity were significantly reduced. Pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the cisplatin group. Treatment with chokeberry extracts and juice significantly mitigated these nephrotoxic effects, as confirmed by histopathological examination and biochemical marker analysis. Notably, the waste extract demonstrated greater efficacy than the whole fruit extract, likely due to its higher concentration of polyphenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. These results highlight the potential of chokeberry as a therapeutic and preventive agent for kidney protection, emphasizing the value of by-products rich in biologically active compounds.