A Botanical-Based Equine Nutraceutical Reduces Gastric Smooth Muscle Contractile Force In Vitro

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Equine gastric ulcers are common in performance horses, impacting welfare.
• Gastric hypermotility is linked to ulcer development in non-equine species.
• Reducing gastric hypermotility may offer protection against gastric ulcers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro effect of a botanical nutraceutical on gastric smooth muscle contractility.
• To assess the potential of the nutraceutical to mitigate gastric hypermotility.

Main Methods:

• Gastric smooth muscle explants from pigs were used for in vitro testing.
• Tissue contractility was measured using a force transducer in response to acetylcholine.
• The effect of a simulated digest extract of the botanical nutraceutical was evaluated.

Main Results:

• The botanical nutraceutical significantly decreased the contractility of gastric smooth muscle.
• Peak and mean contractile forces were reduced after exposure to the nutraceutical.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the use of this botanical nutraceutical for reducing gastric smooth muscle contractility.
• This nutraceutical may offer a protective effect against mechanically induced gastric ulcers in horses.
• Further in vivo studies are required to confirm efficacy in equine gastric ulcer prevention.