- Academic Editor
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Background: The leaves of Origanum majorana (O.
majorana) are traditionally renowned for treating diarrhea and gut spasms. This
study was therefore planned to evaluate its methanolic extract. Methods:
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the
phytochemicals, and Swiss albino mice were used for an in vivo
antidiarrheal assay. Isolated rat ileum was used as an ex vivo assay
model to study the possible antispasmodic effect and its mechanism(s).
Results: The GC-MS analysis of O. majorana detected the
presence of 21 compounds, of which alpha-terpineol was a major constituent. In
the antidiarrheal experiment, O. majorana showed a substantial
inhibitory effect on diarrheal episodes in mice at an oral dosage of 200 mg/kg,
resulting in 40% protection. Furthermore, an oral dosage of 400 mg/kg provided
even greater protection, with 80% effectiveness. Similarly, loperamide showed
100% protection at oral doses of 10 mg/kg. O. majorana caused complete
inhibition of carbachol (CCh, 1 µM) and high K