Effect of carvacrol on potassium channels of isolated smooth muscles of rat gastric fundus, and duodenum

Changes in the contractility of smooth muscles play an important role in the pathophysiology of diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and achalasia. In humans, there are four main types of potassium channels: inwardly rectifying (Kir), calcium-activated (KCa), two-pore (K2P), and voltage-gated (Kv). Carvacrol is a synthetic compound found naturally in various aromatic plants. It has been reported that carvacrol acts as an antimuscarinic, antihistaminic, and adrenergic agonist, and inhibits TRP and calcium entry into the trachea and aorta. In a previous study conducted in our laboratory, it was shown that the smooth muscle relaxation caused by carvacrol in the duodenum was blocked by tetraethylammonium, an inhibitor of potassium ion channels. Isolated rat gastric fundus and duodenum were used to test the effect of carvacrol on potassium channels in smooth muscles. It was observed that the relaxant effect of carvacrol decreased in the presence of BaCl2, 4-aminopyridine, linopyridine, paxillin, and UCL1684, the relaxant effect was completely blocked in the presence of BaCl2 + tetraethylammonium, and there was no change in the relaxant effect in the presence of glibenclamide. These findings show that carvacrol is a potassium channel opener, has a relaxant effect, and KCa1, KCa2.1, KCa2.2, KCa2.3, Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.4, Kv2.1, Kv2.2, Kv4.1, Kv4. .2, Kv4, Kv7.1, Kv7.2, Kv7.3, Kv7.4, Kv7.5, Kir2.1 and Kir3.1 channels play a role in its relaxant effect.