Medicinal Plants with Spasmolytic Activity for Treating Infantile Colic

Abstract

Colic is a multifaceted ailment with a wide range of therapeutic strategies. Infantile colic is often regarded as the most excruciating agony a newborn has ever experienced. Inconsolable crying, fussing, irritability, and abdominal discomfort are some of the classical presentations of infantile colic. In addition, infantile colic is associated with various gastrointestinal conditions and behavioral and neurodevelopmental complications. Although there is inadequate data to support successful treatment for infantile colic, a few frequently applied pharmaceutical interventions, such as dicyclomine, simethicone, and cimetropium, have not been recommended based on contemporary research. Lifestyle modifications such as lactase and probiotics supplements have indicated benefits in treating colic, but additional control studies will be a prerequisite to assess their efficacy. This review aims to provide in-depth information on colic, its pathophysiology, the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants with spasmolytic effects, and their possible mechanisms of action. Studies on several medicinal plants with spasmolytic activity, like Foeniculum vulgare, Carum carvi, Matricaria chamomilla, Zingiber roseum, Lavandula angustifolia, and Mentha pulegium have been included in this article. Furthermore, the study showed that the active compounds in these plants have a substantial antispasmodic activity that is safer and more effective than currently accessible synthetic medications.