Pimpinella anisum extract attenuates spontaneous and agonist-induced uterine contraction in term-pregnant rats

Mar 8, 2020Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anise plant extract reduces natural and triggered uterine contractions in late-pregnant rats

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Abstract

Application of Pimpinella anisum extract (PAE) significantly reduced uterine contractions in a concentration-dependent manner.

PAE was effective in decreasing both spontaneous and oxytocin-induced uterine contractions.
The reduction in contractions was observed with PAE concentrations of 1, 3, 5, and 7 mg/mL.
In a depolarized myometrium, PAE significantly decreased the tonic force induced by high potassium chloride solution.
PAE also prevented oxytocin-induced transient contractions in the absence of external calcium.
These findings suggest that PAE may relax uterine contractions by blocking calcium entry and inhibiting calcium release from internal stores.

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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: Pimpinella anisum is a well-known traditional medicinal herb which has been used in folk medicine as an antiulcer, anticancer, antibacterial and as a muscle relaxant.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was performed to explore the modulatory effects of Pimpinella anisum on term-pregnant rat uterine contractility and to investigate its possible underlying mechanisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Intact uterine strips without endometrial layer were isolated from female term-pregnant Wistar rats (22 days of gestation) and mounted in a tissue bath apparatus for in vitro isometric force recording. The effects of different concentrations of Pimpinella anisum extract (PAE) (1, 3, 5, and 7 mg/mL) were examined on uterine contractions generated spontaneously or induced with oxytocin (5 nmol/L), Bay K8644 (1 μmol/L), and carbachol (10 μmol/L). In some experiments, PAE was applied on depolarized myometrium in the presence of high-KCl solution (60 mmol/L). The effect on Carelease was also examined. 2+

RESULTS: Application of PAE significantly reduced uterine contractions generated spontaneously or induced with oxytocin, Bay K8644, and carbachol in a concentration-dependent manner (n = 7; P < 0.01). In depolarized myometrium, PAE significantly reduced the tonic force induced by high-KCl solution (n = 7; P < 0.01). PAE prevented oxytocin-induced transient contraction in the entire absence of external calcium (n = 7; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The present findings demonstrate the potentials of PAE to relax pregnant uterine contractions possibly by blocking Caentry via L-type calcium channels and inhibiting Carelease from the internal store. The tocolytic effects of PAE may be a potential adjuvant against strong premature uterine contractions which threaten early pregnancy although clinical studies are required. 2+ 2+

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Pimpinella anisum extract attenuates spontaneous and agonist-induced uterine contraction in term-pregnant rats

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