J Neurogastroenterol Motil.  2018 Jul;24(3):490-501. 10.5056/jnm17035.

The Protective Effect of Melissa officinalis L. 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

• Dolatabadi F
• Abdolghaffari AH
• Farzaei MH
• Baeeri M
• Ziarani FS
• Eslami M
• Abdollahi
• Rahimi R

• KMID: 2417394
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5056/jnm17035

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
The aim of present study is to estimate the effects of Melissa officinalis L. (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 levels of TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant powers were determined in the (removed) colon. 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, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and an increase in antioxidant power in MO-300 group was recorded compared to controls. AG + MO and L-NAME + MO groups showed a reverse pattern compared to MO-300 group.
CONCLUSIONS
MO can ameliorate IBS by modulating VH and defecation patterns. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties along with its effect on the nitrergic pathway seem to play important roles in its pharmacological activity.

Keyword

Irritable bowel syndrome; Lemon balm; Melissa officinalis; Nitric oxide; Visceral hypersensitivity

MeSH Terms

Acetic Acid
Animals
Colitis*
Colon
Defecation
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Irritable Bowel Syndrome*
Lipid Peroxidation
Male
Melissa*
Models, Theoretical
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Nitric Oxide*
Peroxidase
Rats*
Reflex
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
Acetic Acid
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Nitric Oxide
Peroxidase
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances