Spasmolytic Activity of Gentiana lutea L. Root Extracts on the Rat Ileum: Underlying Mechanisms of Action
Author:
Kitić Nemanja1ORCID, Živković Jelena2ORCID, Šavikin Katarina2ORCID, Randjelović Milica3ORCID, Jovanović Miloš3ORCID, Kitić Dušanka3ORCID, Miladinović Bojana3ORCID, Milutinović Milica3, Stojiljković Nenad4, Branković Suzana4
Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Medicine, Research Centre for Biomedicine, University of Niš, Ave. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia 2. Institute for Medicinal Plants Research “Dr. Josif Pančić”, Tadeuša Košćuška 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 3. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, University of Niš, Ave. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia 4. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Niš, Ave. Dr. Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia
Abstract
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.
Funder
Serbian Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation Internal Project of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Serbia
Subject
Plant Science,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
|
|