Antispasmodic effect of Mentha piperita essential oil on tracheal smooth muscle of rats

Aim of the study

Mentha piperita is a plant popularly known in Brazil as “hortelã-pimenta” whose essential oil is used in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant actions and anti-congestive. Here, it was investigated the effect of Mentha piperita essential oil (peppermint oil) in rat tracheal rings along with its mechanism of action.

Materials and methods

Tracheal tissue from Male Wistar rats (250–300 g) were used. Peppermint oil was added in cumulative concentrations 1–300 μg/ml] to the tissue basal tonus or pre-contracted by carbachol 10 μM] at 10 min intervals, incubated or not with indomethacin 10 μM], l-N-metyl-nitro-arginine 100 μM], hexamethonium 500 μM], or tetraethylammonium 5mM].

Results

Peppermint oil 100 and 300 μg/ml] inhibited the contractions induced by carbachol, which was reversed by indomethacin, l-N-metyl-nitro-arginine and hexamethonium, but not by tetraethylammonium. These data suggest the participation of prostaglandin E₂, nitric oxide and autonomic ganglions in the peppermint oil relaxant effect and may be correlated with its popular use in respiratory diseases.

Conclusions

Peppermint oil exhibited antispasmodic activity on rat trachea involving prostaglandins and nitric oxide synthase.