Calcium channel blocking activity as a mechanism of the spasmolytic effect of menthol on isolated bovine ileum

Menthol is an organic compound commonly derived from mint oils, known for its cooling and soothing properties, often used in various pharmaceutical, cosmetic and therapeutic applications. It exerts beneficial effects on the digestive system by relaxing smooth muscles, reducing spasms and improving gastrointestinal motility. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of menthol on bovine ileal smooth muscle contractions in vitro. Ileal tissue segments were collected from adult cattle at an abattoir and subsequently immersed in ۲۵.۰۰ mL organ baths containing Tyrode’s solution. The baths were maintained at ۳۷.۰۰ ˚C and continuously aerated with a gas mixture of ۹۵.۰۰% O۲ and ۵.۰۰% CO۲. The tissues were subjected to various contractile agents, including potassium chloride at concentrations of ۳۰.۰۰ and ۸۰.۰۰ mM, carbachol chloride at ۱.۰۰ and ۴.۰۰ μM and barium chloride at ۳۰.۰۰ mM. Menthol was cumulatively applied in incremental concentrations to assess its modulatory effects on contraction amplitude. Results demonstrated that menthol elicited a dose-dependent inhibition of smooth muscle contractions across most stimulatory conditions with the extent of inhibition varying among different stimuli. The Ca۲+ channel blocking activity was further confirmed when pre-treatment of isolated ileums with menthol (۲۳.۰۰ and ۲۰۰ μg mL-۱) caused a rightward shift in the Ca۲+ concentration-response curves, similar to verapamil. These findings suggested that menthol spasmolytic action might be mediated through the modulation and inhibition of calcium channels. In conclusion, menthol effectively attenuated bovine ileal smooth muscle contractions in vitro, indicating its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for controlling gastrointestinal hyperactivity in cattle.

کلیدواژه ها:

Calcium channel ، Cattle ، Ileum ، Menthol ، Spasmolytic