Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) hydrolate poorly influences isolated rat gastric fundus motility

Introduction. Lemon balm has been used for centuries due to its strong sedative, antimicrobial and spasmolytic effects. Besides different types of extracts essential oils, hydrolates (by-products obtained during oil extraction) are preparations aromatic medicinal plants with potential pharmacological activity. Aim. To estimate Melissa officinalis leaves hydrolate effects on gastric motility. Methods. The influence the was tested in vitro a tissue bath rat fundus spontaneous contraction experimental model. Increasing volumes sample (making final concentration span 0.5 - 500 µl/ml) were successively added bath. Results. Lower doses did not produce any significant changes patterns, while higher ones led statistically increase basal tone stomach fundus. Yet, these tonus still modest. Phytochemical qualitative characterization, done by liquid chromatography ultra-high performances, showed that rosmarinic acid dominant compound M. hydrolate. Conclusion. Although poorly influences isolated motility, further studies could clarify activity future application this by-product hydrodestilation.