International Journal of Medical Laboratory

Background and Aims: Our previous study has demonstrated that essence of Carum copticum reduces contraction activity of ileum in rat. The present study was designed to find out the effects of nonpolar fraction of Carum copticum essence (NFCCE) on mechanical activity of the isolated ileum in rat.
Materials and Methods: For evaluation of spasmolythic property of fraction, different doses of the solution were added to organ bath after acetylcholine with concentration of 10-4 molar (M), and for assessment of antispasmodic effect of fraction, different doses of the solution were added to the organ bath before acetylcholine with concentration of 10-9 up to 10-2 M. Then isotonic contractions of ileum were recorded through an isolated tissue chamber in an organ bath using oscillographic device.
Results: Our findings showed that the spasmolytic effect of NFCCE in concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ng/ml significantly reduces acetylcholine (10-4M)-induced contractions (p< 0.05). Also antispasmodic effect of NFCCE on logarithmic concentrations of acetylcholine (10-9 up to 10-2M) indicates that in the presence of 10-3 M acetylcholine, the maximum (100%) and minimum (84.9%), inhibition of contraction is induced by concentrations of 100 ng/ml and 25 ng/ml, respectively (p< 0.05).
Conclusions: The spasmolytic effect of this study is probably resulted by anti-cholinergic response of NFCCE on isolated ileum of rats.