Study of Antispasmodic and Antidiarrheal Activities of Tagetes lucida (Mexican Tarragon) in Experimental Models and Its Mechanism of Action

Tagetes lucida has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy to alleviate several gastrointestinal disorders that provoke stomachaches, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. However, there is not enough scientific evidence that supports these effects. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate antispasmodic and antidiarrheal activities of aqueous extract of T. lucida (AqExt-TL) as well as its mechanism of action in experimental models. Antispasmodic activity and the mechanism of action of AqExt-TL were assessed on segments of the guinea pig ileum precontracted with KCl, acetylcholine (ACh), or electrical field stimulation (EFS). Furthermore, the antispasmodic effect of two coumarins (umbelliferone and herniarin) previously identified in this species was evaluated. Antidiarrheal activity of AqExt-TL was determined using the charcoal meal test in mice. AqExt-TL showed antispasmodic activity in segments of the guinea pig ileum precontracted with KCl (83.7 ± 1.9%) and ACh (77.2 ± 5.3%) at the maximal concentration; however, practically, it did not alter the contractions induced by EFS (10.1 ± 2.2%). Antispasmodic activity of AqExt-TL was not significantly altered by hexamethonium (a ganglionic blocker) or L-NAME (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase). However, this extract decreased the maximal contractile response to calcium (82.7 ± 8.5%), serotonin (68.1 ± 8.5%), and histamine (63.9 ± 5.9%) in their concentration-response curves. Umbelliferone and herniarin also induced an antispasmodic effect on tissues precontracted with KCl. In addition, low doses of AqExt-TL reduced to 50% the distance traveled by charcoal meal in the gastrointestinal transit model in mice as loperamide, an antidiarrheal agent, did. These results provided evidence of the antispasmodic and antidiarrheal activity of T. lucida, which supports its use in the folk medicine in relieving symptoms in some gastrointestinal disorders. In the antispasmodic effect, the blockade of histaminergic and serotoninergic pathway as well as the calcium channels seems to be involved. Finally, umbelliferone and herniarin could be partially responsible for the antispasmodic activity induced by T. lucida

evaluation of the antinociceptive effect of rosmarinus officinalis l. using three different experimental models in rodents

The rationale of this investigation was to examine the antinociceptive effect of an ethanol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) aerial parts, using three different experimental models: acetic acid-induced writhing test and formalin test in mic

Anti-inflammatory and anti-allodynic activities in mice of the essential oil and desmethylisoencecalin from <i>Zinnia grandiflora</i> Nuttall

Zinnia grandiflora (Asteraceae) is used to alleviate several painful disorders. The effects of an essential oil prepared by hydrodistillation from Z. grandiflora (EOZ) and its major compound on neuropathic pain, allodynia, and inflammation in mice were assessed. Headspace-solid phase microextraction analysis of an aqueous extract was also carried out. GC-MS analyses of all volatiles revealed that germacrene D (13.24%) and desmethylisoencecalin (DME) (13.24%) were the most abundant compounds. EOZ was effective in reducing inflammation and allodynia in mice. EOZ (300 mg/paw) reverted tactile allodynia more effectively than gabapentin (100 μg/paw). DME (0.1‒10 µg/paw) responses in the carrageenan model were concentration-dependent; the maximum effect was observed at 10 µg/paw, like that of diclofenac (30 μg/paw). In the spinal nerve ligation model, DME (0.1‒10 μg/paw) exerted a concentration-dependent anti-allodynic action; its effect was better than that of gabapentin. A method to quantify zinagrandinolide E in the crude drug was developed and validated.</p