Relaxant and Antispasmodic Activities of Aqueous Extract from <i>Thymus algeriensis</i> Boiss. and Reut.

Abstract

&lt;em&gt;Thymus algeriensis&lt;/em&gt; have been vastly utilized for intestinal disorders. The purpose of this investigation was to scrutinize the probable mechanism for its utilization in the spasm disorder. Aqueous extract of this medicinal plant (AqTA) was tested&lt;em&gt; in vitro&lt;/em&gt; on rat and rabbit jejunum. The extract produced relaxation of rabbit jejunum. This relaxation does not depend on the adrenergic pathway, the AqTA induces inhibition irrespective of the presence or absence of adrenergic inhibitors. AqTA engendered a concentration-dependent (0.1-5 mg/ml) relaxation of carbamylcholine chloride (CCh) and K&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; provoked tones in rat intestine with IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; values of 2.06 ± 0.26 and 3.55 ± 0.48 (mg/ml) respectively. This extract likewise induced a dosedependent (0.1-3 mg/ml) rightward shift in the CCh and Ca&lt;sup&gt;++&lt;/sup&gt; dose-response curves. The AqTA alone has decreased more significantly the percentage of contraction of rat jejunum than the AqTA pre-incubated with atropine or hexamethonium then contracted with KCl; but there is no significant difference by those pre-incubated with methylene blue or L-NAME. When the intestine was pretreated with nifedipine and contracted by CCh, the antispasmodic effect provoked by AqTA with and without pre-incubation with nifedipine is statistically not significant. In conclusion AqTA acts possibly on the voltage dependent Ca&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; channel and cholinergic receptors but did not act on adrenergic receptors, NO and guanylatecyclase pathway. This investigation may explicate some of its traditional utilization in gut illnesses.

Thymus hirtus Willd. ssp. algeriensis Boiss. and Reut: A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Bioactivities, and Health-Enhancing Effects

“…Their derivatives serve as precursor molecules for stilbenes, chalcones, flavonoids, lignans, and anthocyanins [ 212 ]. In Tunisian and Algerian populations of T. algeriensis , the common hydroxycinnamic acids detected and/or quantified are caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, p -coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and salvianolic acid k [ 48 , 50 , 55 , 56 , 58 , 59 , 61 , 88 , 132 , 183 , 184 , 188 , 203 , 209 , 213 ].…”

“…Qualitative and quantitative analysis of different extracts of T. algeriensis revealed several common chemical structures between the Algerian, Tunisian, and Moroccan populations. It also appears from the data in Table 2 and Table 3 that the Algerian species is more prosperous than the Tunisians [ 48 , 50 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 61 , 88 , 132 , 183 , 184 , 188 , 203 , 209 ]. However, the content of total flavonoids present in T. algeriensis can be affected by several factors, such as physiological, genetic, environmental, growth and storage conditions, etc., as well as the choice of solvent and extraction procedures [ 228 , 229 , 230 , 231 , 232 ].…”

“…The following other Apigenin derivatives were detected in T. algeriensis : Apigenin diglucuronide and Apigenin glucoside glucuronide in the Tunisian species [ 50 ] and Apigenin-8- C -glucoside in the Algerian species [ 183 ]. In contrast, luteolin and its derivatives (luteolin glucoside, luteolin feruloyl glucuronide, luteolin glucuronid, luteolin pentoside, luteolin pentosyl-glucoside, and luteolin-7- O -rhamnoside) have been reported in T. algeriensis plants (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia) [ 50 , 59 , 61 , 88 , 183 , 209 ]. The other flavone derivatives, isorhamnetin pentosyl glucuronide, xanthomicrol, salvigenin, genkwanin, and baicalin, are, however, only detected in the extracts of Algerian plants [ 55 , 58 , 203 , 209 ].…”

“…In the study by Beyi et al [ 59 ], the aqueous extract of T. algeriensis was tested for its possible spasmolytic and relaxing effects in spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum preparations. Quantification of relaxation is more accessible in this model than in rat jejunum.…”

“…and Reut. Many studies have reported that the by-products and compounds isolated from this species exhibit various biological activities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 ]. In short, this review will help provide information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of T. algeriensis .…”