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

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a botanical-based equine nutraceutical on contractility of gastric smooth muscle in vitro. Gastric ulcers are prevalent in performance horses and negatively impact horse welfare. Gastric hypermotility has been positively associated with the development of gastric ulceration in nonequine species, and reduction of hypermotility may be protective against their development. Stomachs from 12 pigs processed for food at a provincially inspected abattoir were collected within 1 hour of slaughter. Explants of nonglandular gastric tissue were prepared and suspended in a tissue bath, attached to a force transducer, in the presence or absence of a simulated digest extract of the nutraceutical. Tissue was stimulated to contract using increasing doses of acetylcholine. Peak and mean contractile force over 1 and 2 minutes after exposure to acetylcholine were measured. Exposure of gastric smooth muscle to the nutraceutical significantly reduced contractility of the tissue. These data provide support for the use of this nutraceutical to reduce contractility of nonglandular gastric smooth muscle and may indicate a protective effect of this nutraceutical in horses with mechanically induced gastric ulcers. Future studies are needed to clarify the role of gastric hypermotility on development of equine gastric ulcers and to determine the effect of this nutraceutical on equine gastric contractility and ulcerogenesis in vivo.