Influence of different wild-garlic (Allium ursinum) extracts on the gastrointestinal system: spasmolytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties Dragana R. Pavlovic a , Milica Veljkovic b , Nikola M. Stojanovic c , Marija Gocmanac-Ignjatovic b , Tatjana Mihailov-Krstev d , Suzana Brankovic b , Dusan Sokolovic e , Mirjana Marcetic f , Niko Radulovic g and Mirjana Radenkovi c b a Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ni s, Serbia b Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ni s, Serbia c Faculty of Medicine, University of Ni s, Serbia d Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Ni s, Serbia e Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ni s, Serbia, f Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Serbia and g Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Ni s, Serbia Keywords Allium ursinum; enteropathogenic strains; qNMR of alk(en)yl cysteine sulphoxides; rat ileum; spasmolytic activity Correspondence Dragana R. Pavlovic, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ni s, Bulevar Dr Zoran Djindjic 81, 18000 Ni s, Serbia. E-mail: anagard@medfak.ni.ac.rs and anagard@ptt.rs Received January 4, 2017 Accepted April 18, 2017 doi: 10.1111/jphp.12746 Abstract Objectives As there are no previous studies of the European wild-garlic (Allium ursinum) effects on the gastrointestinal system, despite its traditional applications in gastrointestinal disorders’ treatment and regular use in the human diet, we have quantified and compared spasmolytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activi- ties of its different leaf extracts. Methods Wild-garlic extracts were tested for spasmolytic activity on isolated rat ileum, antimicrobial activity on selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacte- ria and fungi by microdilution method and antioxidant capacity by DPPH radi- cal-scavenging assay. Key findings Wild-garlic extracts were found to decrease ileal basal tone. As the relaxation of K + -induced contractions was similar to one caused by papaverin, the observed spasmolytic effect was most likely mediated through Ca 2+ -channel inhibition. Ethanolic extract (with the highest phenolic and high alk(en)yl cys- teine sulphoxides’ levels) produced the strongest spasmolytic activity. In case of acetylcholine-induced contractions, only hydromethanolic extract showed no sta- tistical difference in comparison with positive control. All samples exhibited cer- tain antioxidant potential and strong antimicrobial activity against tested enteropathogenic strains (Salmonella enteritidis was the most sensitive, followed by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus faecalis). Conclusion Besides other already established health-promoting effects, wild gar- lic could be useful in treatment of mild gastrointestinal disturbances. Introduction Allium ursinum L. (Liliaceae), European wild garlic (wood garlic, ramsons or bear’s garlic) is a perennial plant species widespread through Europe and Asia, but absent from different areas in Russia, and rare in the Mediterranean region. [1] Allium ursinum has its own, unique aroma and fresh leaves or a dried herb are used in local cuisines of Europe. [2] It has been harvested for centuries for food and also as a natural remedy for car- diovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, and externally for skin diseases. [3,4] Wild garlic is believed to have most of the Allium sativum benefits, although it is weaker in action and consequently has to be administered in higher doses. [3] Organosulphur com- pounds are the secondary metabolites usually related to health benefits claimed for Allium species. The leaves of wild garlic are rich in alliins (in particular methylalliin, i.e. methiin, and allylalliin, i.e. alliin) and consequently other sulphur-containing molecules, for example allyl methyl disulphide and allicin; other volatile compounds, saponins, lecithin, bound and free phenolic and © 2017 Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 69 (2017), pp. 1208–1218 1208 Research Paper Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/jpp/article/69/9/1208/6127785 by guest on 04 June 2022