title: Inhibitory actions of eugenol on rat isolated ileum.
abstract: The effects of eugenol (1-2000 microM) on rat isolated ileum were studied. Eugenol relaxed the basal tonus (IC50 83 microM) and the ileum precontracted with 60 mM KCl (IC50 162 microM), an action unaltered by 0.5 microM tetrodotoxin, 0.2 mM N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, 0.5 mM hexamethonium, and 1 microM indomethacin. Eugenol did not alter the resting transmembrane potential (Em) of the longitudinal muscle layer under normal conditions (5.0 mM K+) or in depolarised tissues. Eugenol reversibly inhibited contractions induced by submaximal concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) and K+ (40 mM) with IC50 values of approximately 228 and 237 microM, respectively. Eugenol blocked the component of ACh-induced contraction obtained in Ca(2+)-free solution (0.2 mM EGTA) or in the presence of nifedipine (1 microM). Our results suggest that eugenol induces relaxation of rat ileum by a direct action on smooth muscle via a mechanism largely independent of alterations of Em and extracellular Ca2+ influx.
authors.affiliation: lealcard@roadnet.com.br
authors.forename: José H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Leal-Cardoso
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lahlou
authors.forename: Andrelina N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Coelho-de-Souza
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Criddle
authors.forename: Glória I B
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Pinto Duarte
authors.forename: Marcia A V
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Pedro J C
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Magalhães
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005054:Eugenol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D005054:Eugenol; D002217:Carbachol; D002118:Calcium