Effects of Zataria Multiflora and Carum Carvi Essential Oils and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Passiflora Incarnata, Berberis Integerrima and Crocus Sativus on Rat Isolated Uterus Publisher



Ghannadi A¹ Show Affiliations
Source: International Journal of Aromatherapy Published:2003

Abstract

Spontaneous abortion can be a problem in pregnancy. Consumption of some plant material might be a cause, while other plant materials are being used in folk medicine for treatment of this condition. The aim of this study was to look for effects of essential oils of Zataria multiflora and Carum carvi and hydroalcoholic extracts of Passiflora incarnata, Berberies integerrima and Crocus sativus on rat isolated uterus contractions in vitro. The essential oils and hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained by hydrodistillation and maceration methods, respectively. A day before the experiment, all rats were treated with oestrogen (100 μg/kg, s.c.). The following day their uteri were removed, secured in an organ bath containing Tyrode's solution and gassed with O2. Isotonic contractions were induced by potassium chloride (KCl) (10 and 80 mM) and acetylcholine (ACh) and recorded on paper. The effects of the plant extracts and essential oils were then studied on uterus contractions. Both Z. multiflora and C. carvi essential oils inhibited the tonic contraction to KCl (80 mM) and the phasic contraction to ACh (320 nM) in a concentration-dependent manner, reducing the response to zero at their highest used concentrations. There was no significant change in the contraction of control tissues that were treated with vehicle. Hydroalcoholic extracts of P. incarnata (400-1600 μg/ml), B. integerrima (400-1600 μg/ml) and C. sativus (200-1600 μg/ml) increased the spontaneous rhythmic contraction due to KCl (10 mM) in comparison with the control tissues. However, they did not increase the uterus response to ACh. The inhibitory effect of Z. multiflora and C. carvi essential oils on uterus contraction indicates that they might be useful for control of uterus spasm. The spasmodic action of P. incarnata and C. sativus hydroalcoholic extracts support suggestion that some materials in these plants can increase uterus spontaneous contraction. Therefore, these plant materials have the potential to induce early uterus contraction during the pregnancy. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.