Effects of Essential Oils on Smooth Muscle Contraction in Rat Uterus (Gm07)

Dysmenorrhea is directly related to elevated PGF2α (prostaglandin F2α) levels. It is treated with NSAIDs (nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs), PGSI (prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitors), OCP (oral contraceptive pill), calcium channel blocker, analgesics and vitamins in Western medicine. Since NSAIDs produce many side effects, Chinese medicinal therapy is considered as a feasible alternative medicine. Many special physiological components (ex: flavonoid and Flavones) in Chinese medicine have been isolated and identified. Essential oils have a lot of physiological functions like anti-oxidatio and anti-cancer effects. However, the relationship between smooth muscle contraction and essential oils remains veiled. Therefore, we investigated this relationship in the rat uterus by measuring uterine contraction activity and recording the intrauterine pressure. We studied the in vivo and in vitro effects of the essential oils on uterine smooth muscle contraction. In our preliminary experimental results, the PGF2α-induced uterine contractions reduced significantly after treatment of quercetin or naringenin. Our data suggested that hinokitol could inhibit the PGF2α-induced uterine contractions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of essential oils on uterine contractions in vivo and in vitro. It is helpful to understand the effects and the action mechanisms of essential oils on uterine contractions.