The effect of nigella sativa essential oil on intestinal contractions in rat

This study was carried out in order to determine the effect of black seed (Nigella Sativa L.) essential oil on intestinal transition time with in vitro intestinal contractions (duodenum and colon) in rats. 6 Wistar albino rats were used for the contraction trial.0,1--0,3 cm x 0,5 cm tissue pieces was used in the experiments. The pieces were taken from the central zone of duodenum and colon after the fat and mesenteric tissues were removed. Tissues were balanced in organ bath and the effect of the extracts were evaluated at 0,1–1000 µg/ml concentration. In order to determine the effect of black seed essential oil (BSEO) on intestinal transition rate, 18 rats were divided into three groups of 6 rats each. Groups were determined as control group, 50mg/kg BSEO and 100 mg/kg BSEO. After 18 hours of starvation, a mixture of 1 ml gum arabic and active carbon was given to the control group by gavage while 50 and 100 mg/kg BSEO, 1mL gum arabic and active carbon were given to the experiment groups again by gavage. After 1 hours, small intestine was removed after clamping from secum and pyloris by laparoscopy. The ratio of the distance reached by the coal to the whole length was denoted as transit index. It is determined that BSEO, obtained by the hydrodistilation method of Clevenger device hadpartially inhibited spontaneous and acethylcholine induced duodenum and colon contractions at 1000 µg/ml concentration. Inversely, the essential oil has increased intestinal transition rate, thus increasing small intestinal contractions in vivo. As a result, the effects of black seed essential oil are different in vitro and in vivo and it is predicted that in vitro spontaneous and partial inhibition of acetylcholine-induced contractions does not occur through muscaranic receptors but potentially through calcium channels. BSEO has been shown to decrease the transition time of nutrients in gastrointestinal tract by increasing the contraction frequency in fasting state in vivo. In order to clarify the efficacy of in vivo activity, it is recommended to carry out new studies considering fasting and fed states.