Effects of the non-volatile residue of bergamot oil on coronary circulation.

In the context of chemical and biological researches on non-volatile total residue (NVTR) from the essential oil of bergamotto, the effects on coronary circulation in the anaesthetized Guinea-pigs and in the isolated and perfused rat heart were investigated. The results obtained demonstrated that the intravenous administration of NVTR at doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg significantly decreased the electrocardiographyc signs of coronaryspasm (ST- segment elevation, increase voltage or inversion of the T-wave and prolongation of the P-Q and Q-T intervals) induced by pytressine in the anaesthetized Guinea-pigs. In particular the 4 mg/kg dosage of the NVTR showed an inhibitory effect on height and duration of ST-segment elevation the intensity of which was similar at that showed by 1 mg/kg of verapamil. The results obtained also showed that the intracoronary perfusion of NVTR at concentrations of 10-5 and 10-4 g/ml significantly reduced the coronary perfusion pressures with an activity resulted a little less to that of verapamil perfused at concentration of 10-4 g/ml.