A diterpenoid from Salvia cinnabarina inhibits mouse intestinal motility in vivo

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of 3,4 secoisopimara-4(18),7,15-trien-3-oic acid (compound 1) isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia cinnabarina, on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice in vivo. Compound 1 (10-100 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently delayed gastrointestinal motility. Pretreatment (i. p.) of mice with hexamethonium (10 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/ kg), NI-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) (25 mg/kg) or yohimbine (I mg/kg) did not modify the inhibitory effect of compound 1 (50 mg/kg). However, the L-type Ca2+ channel verapamil (5 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the antimotility effect of compound 1 (50 mg/kg). These results suggest that compound 1 inhibits gastrointestinal motility in mice. The effect could involve, at least in part, L-type Ca2+ channels