Melissa officinalis can ameliorate irritable bowel syndrome by modulating visceral hypersensitivity and defecation patterns. - GreenMedInfo Summary
The Protective Effect ofL. in Visceral Hypersensitivity in Rat Using 2 Models of Acid-induced Colitis and Stress-induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Possible Role of Nitric Oxide Pathway.
J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018 Jun 4. Epub 2018 Jun 4. PMID: 29879761
Fatemeh Dolatabadi
Background/Aims: The aim of present study is to estimate the effects ofL. (MO) on visceral hypersensitivity (VH), defecation pattern and biochemical factors in 2 experimental models of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the possible role of nitric oxide.
Methods: Two individual models of IBS were induced in male Wistar-albino rats. In the acetic acid model, the animals were exposed to rectal distension and abdominal withdrawal reflex, and the defecation patterns were determined. In the restraint stress model, the colons of rats were removed and the levels of TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant powers were determined. Rats had been treated with MO, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine (AG), MO + AG, or MO + L-NAME in the mentioned experimental models.
Results: Hypersensitive response to rectal distension and more stool defecation in control rats have been observed in comparison to shams. MO-300 significantly reduced VH and defecation frequency in comparison to controls. VH and defecation pattern did not show significant change in AG + MO and L-NAME + MO groups compared to controls. Also, significant reduction in TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, TBARS, and an increase in antioxidant power in MO-300 was recorded compared to controls. AG + MO and L-NAME + MO groups showed a reverse pattern compared to MO-300.
Conclusions: MO can ameliorate IBS by modulating VH and defecation patterns. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties along with its effect on the nitrergic pathway seems to play important roles in its pharmacological activity.