title: Relaxant effects of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum on isolated ileum of the guinea pig.
abstract: The effects of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Labiatae) (EOOG) on guinea pig ileum were studied. EOOG (0.1-1000 microg/ml) reversibly and concentration-dependently relaxed the basal tone of the ileum and reversed the tonic contractions induced by 60 mM KCl and 10 microM acetylcholine, with IC(50) values of 23.8+/-5.2, 18.6+/-4.0 and 70.0+/-4.6 microg/ml, respectively. Our results show that EOOG exerts relaxant effects on intestinal smooth muscle, consistent with the popular use of the plant to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Laboratório de Farmacologia dos Canais Iônicos, Centro de Ciências Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Av. Paranjana 1700, Campus Itaperí, Fortaleza, CE 60740-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Socorro V F
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Madeira
authors.forename: Francisco José A
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: José H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Leal-Cardoso
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Criddle
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects; D031339:Ocimum / Q000737:chemistry*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D000109:Acetylcholine