In vitro effects of essential oils of Tanacetum balsamita and carvone on the contractility of bovine ileum smooth muscles

Tanacetum balsamita (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant previously used in human medicine to solve gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immune-modulatory, and antioxidant effects of T. balsamita have been proven in previous studies. The present study investigated the effects of T. balsamita essential oil (TBEO) on ruminant smooth muscle contractions. The experiment was performed on the circular smooth muscle of ileum samples taken from slaughtered bulls in the organ bath. Nine cumulative concentrations of TBEO from 0.10 to 1000 µg mL(-1) were added to tissue samples. The solution used was Tyrode’s solution aerated with a mixture of 95.00% oxygen and 5.00% carbon dioxide, and the temperature was set at 37.00 ˚C. The effect of TBEO on baseline contractions and three induced contractions with potassium chloride, barium chloride, and carbachol was investigated. In GC-MS analysis of TBEO, carvone was identified as a major ingredient. The effects of eight concentrations of 0.001 to 10.00 µM of carvone on all contractions were investigated under similar conditions. The effects of TBEO, carvone, and verapamil (standard calcium channel blocker) on calcium channels were assessed. The results revealed that TBEO and carvone significantly inhibit spontaneous contractions as well as all spasmogen-induced contractions. The TBEO and carvone exert their myorelaxant properties by inhibiting Ca(++) channels in smooth muscle. The anti-spasmodic properties of T. balsamita can be employed for the treatment of intestinal spasms or hypermotility.