Effect of alcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian on ileum contractions in rats

Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian (Umbelliferae family) is one of the Iranian medicinal plants that has nutritional and pharmacological effects. In Iranian traditional medicine, it has been mentioned that this plant has anti-spasmodic effect and it is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions, such as abdominal pain. In this study, we evaluated the effect of alcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian on ileum contractions in rats. Alcoholic extracts were prepared from powdered Kelussia leaves. Ileum samples were placed in an organ bath containing tyrode solution and 1g tension was used before inducing ileum isotonic contraction with KCl (60 mM). Saline or extracts (10% and 20%) were added to the bath and responses were recorded. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD test. Our results demonstrated that both concentrations of Kelussia significantly reduced the KCl-induced contraction in isolated rat ileum compared to the control (saline) group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups which had received 10% and 20% extracts. In general, it can be concluded that alcoholic extracts of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaffarian inhibit pre-induced contractions in isolated rat ileum and can be used for reduction of intestinal spasms. More experiments are needed to unravel the mechanism underlying this effect. (Quarterly Journal of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Volume 19, Number 2, pp.156-163).