The Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss.) on Mechanical Activity of Isolated Colon of Male Rat

 Thyme have been used as a medicinal plant traditionally for the treatment of digestive system disorders. In present study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of thyme on motility of isolated colon of male rat and its interaction with cholinergic, adrenergic and nitic oxide systems was performed.

Ten adult male rats (180- 250 g) were kept in standard condition for one week. Then rats were anaesthetized by ethyl ether and their colon was isolated and divided in to 1 cm strips. The strips were held to a force transducer and inserted to organ bath contained Tyrode solution. The mechanical activity of strips was recorded by Power Lab system with administration of thyme extract (0.0175 mg/ml) and its solvent in experimental and sham groups, and after administration of acetylcholine, epinephrine and L-NAME drugs. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and independent-samples T-test.

 The result showed a significant decrease in the mechanical activity of isolated colon after administration of the effective dose of thyme extract in base line and after of administration of acetylcholine.
There was no significant difference of mechanical activity of the strips at the presence of extract and its solvent after epinephrine and L-NAME administration.

 It can be concluded that thyme extract caused colon relaxation via inhibition of cholinergic pathway and independent from adrenergic and nitric oxide systems.