Calcium channel blockade activity of Trachyspermumammi essential oil on rat thoracic aorta in Ex-vivo

Several pharmacological activities of the essential oil of Trachyspermumammi seeds (TAEO) have been previously studied. These include antitussive, antihypertensive and antispasmodic effects. However, its action on isolated aorta has not yet been studied. This study was aimed to investigate calcium channel blockade activity of TAEO on rat aorta. Extraction of T. ammi seeds was performed using Clevenger-type apparatus with the final content of 4.5% (v/w). To evaluate some probable mechanisms of action of TAEO, the action isometric tension was then measured in the aortic rings from Wistar rats which were precontracted with phenylephrine (1µM) or KCl (60 mM). The cumulative concentrations of TAEO (20-100µg/ml) reduced precontraction caused by phenylephrine and KCl significantly(p