In this study, the basal and spasmolytic properties of a hydroethanolic leaf extract (HLE) of
Melissa officinalis
L. (lemon balm) were assessed
ex vivo
on different segments of the GI tract of mice after phytochemical characterization of the extract. Overall, the effects of
M. officinalis
HLE tested on gut motility are site and dose dependent, the authors conclude. These effects could be because of an action of phenolic compounds, but further experiments will have to confirm this hypothesis. Whether the effects observed
ex vivo
have an impact on intestinal transit will have to be assessed
in vivo
.