Spasmolytic effect of Jasonia glutinosa on rodent intestine.
BACKGROUND
Jasonia glutinosa is an endemic plant species of the Iberian Peninsula and Southern France traditionally used in infusions as a spasmolytic; this plant is also known as "té de roca" (rock tea) but there is no scientific evidence about the effects of this plant.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the spasmolytic effect of rock tea.


METHODS
We have studied the in vitro effect of a rock tea extract on rat duodenum spontaneous contractions and the in vivo effect on mice gastrointestinal transit.


RESULTS
Rock tea extract reduced the spontaneous contractions of rat duodenal smooth muscle, inhibited KCl-induced contractions and blocked the contractions invoked by both extracellular Ca2+ and the agonist of L-type calcium channels Bay K8644. This inhibitory effect was similar to the one observed after the addition of the antagonist of L-type calcium channels verapamil. Rock tea did not modify gastrointestinal transit in healthy mice. However, after the treatment with dextran sulfate sodium, an inducer of colitis, rock tea extract reverted the increase in the gastrointestinal transit associated with this treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Rock tea extract relaxed duodenal smooth muscle via L-type calcium channels and normalized gastrointestinal transit in a model of colitis. These results may validate the traditional use of Jasonia glutinosa in patients with gastrointestinal alterations. Thus, rock tea may be used as a spasmolytic agent to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universidad de Zaragoza, España.
Marta
M
Castro
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universidad San Jorge. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.
Mariano
M
Ramón Giménez
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universidad San Jorge. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.
Francisco
F
Les
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universidad San Jorge. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.
Lorena
L
Trejo
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universidad de Zaragoza.
Miguel Ángel
MÁ
Plaza
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universidad San Jorge. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.
Víctor
V
López
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universidad de Zaragoza. Facultad de Veterinaria, España.
María Divina
MD
Murillo
Departamento de Farmacología y Fisiología, Universiad San Jorge. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.
Marta Sofia
MS
Valero
D000818:Animals; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects; D004386:Duodenum / Q000187:drug effects; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts