Antispasmodic and spasmolytic activity of Melissa officinalis EPS upon mice gastrointestinal tract: an ex vivo pilot study

Introduction: Melissa officinalis is a medicinal plant widely used for its impact upon mood and cognitive performance [1] and for digestive comfort [2]. However, only a few studies [3] have characterised the impact of M. officinalis upon gastro-intestinal (GI) functions. We assessed ex vivo the antispasmodic and spasmolytic activity of M. officinalis on different segments of the GI tract of mice. Material and methods: M. officinalis was extracted using the patented process Phytostandard^® that allows obtaining standardised liquid extracts from fresh plant (EPS). Segments of antrum (circular muscle; n = 10/condition) and jejunum (longitudinal muscle; n = 10/condition) of C57bl6 mice were placed in organ chambers. Isometric contractions were continuously recorded and contractile response to increasing concentrations of M. officinalis EPS (1 – 50 mg/mL) and vehicle (ethanol) were analysed. Antispasmodic activity was assessed under basal conditions. The spasmolytic effect was assessed on a steady state tissue precontracted with the muscarinergic agonist bethanechol (100µM) [4]. We measured the frequency of spontaneous phasic contractions and the area under the curve (AUC) for 2 minutes after the addition of M. officinalis EPS or vehicle [5]. Results: In the antrum, M. officinalis EPS did not modify contractile parameters under basal conditions. However, in the precontracted antrum, M. officinalis EPS at 50 mg/mL increased the AUC as compared to vehicle. In the jejunum, M. officinalis EPS decreased the frequency of spontaneous phasic contractions both under basal and precontracted conditions as compared to vehicle. Furthermore, M. officinalis EPS decreased the AUC starting at a concentration of 10 mg/mL in basal (Figure 1A) and precontracted conditions (Figure 1B) as compared to vehicle. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that the M. officinalis EPS tested has antispasmodic and spasmolytic activity on jejunum ex vivo. The mediators involved remain to be determined.

Keywords: Melissa officinalis, gut, antispasmodic, spasmolytic, contractility.

References:

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