# Antispasmodic Activity of Light-Roasted Coffee Extract and Its Potential Use in Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

## TL;DR

This study shows that light-roasted coffee extract can reduce muscle contractions in the gut, suggesting it may help treat gastrointestinal motility disorders.

## Contribution

The study identifies light-roasted coffee extract as a novel antispasmodic agent with potential therapeutic use in gastrointestinal motility disorders.

## Key findings

- Light coffee extract significantly reduced rat ileum contractions in a dose-dependent manner.
- Light coffee at 5 mg/mL inhibited CaCl2-induced contractions, suggesting interference with calcium signaling.
- Active compounds like chlorogenic acid and caffeine likely contribute to the antispasmodic effects.

## Abstract

Antispasmodic agents are crucial in managing gastrointestinal motility disorders by modulating muscle contractions and reducing symptoms like cramping and diarrhea. This study investigated the antispasmodic potential of different coffee bean extracts, including light coffee (LC), medium coffee (MC), and dark coffee (DC), on ileum contractions induced by potassium chloride (KCl), and elucidated their mechanisms of action using in vitro isolated tissue techniques. The results demonstrated that all coffee extracts reduced spontaneous contractions of rat ileum tissue in a dose-dependent manner. Among these, LC showed the most significant reduction in ileum contractions, particularly at higher concentrations. The key findings reveal that LC at 5 mg/mL significantly reduced CaCl2-induced contractions in isolated rat ileum tissue, indicating that LC may inhibit calcium influx or interfere with calcium signaling pathways. The presence of nifedipine, propranolol, and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) have been confirmed in their involvement; they block calcium influx and calcium channels and activate β-adrenergic pathways as part of LC’s mechanism of action. The presence of their active compounds, particularly chlorogenic acid and caffeine, likely contributes to the observed antispasmodic effects. These findings suggest that LC exerts its antispasmodic effects by targeting key mechanisms involved in muscle spasms and intestinal motility, providing a potential for managing such conditions.