Aromatic plants produce volatile substances with high therapeutic potential. In view of the need for new respiratory and cardiovascular system pharmacological agents, the present study reports on the spasmolytic activity of two enantiomers of carvone and limonene, constituents of essential oils. The enantiomers tested showed pharmacological activity in Guinea pig trachea and rat aorta smooth muscle. No differences were observed in the pharmacological profiles of the enantiomer pairs. The oxygenated monoterpenes (+)-carvone and (-)-carvone were pharmacologically more effective than the hydrocarbon monoterpenes (+)-limonene and (-)-limonene. The results of this study show the therapeutic potential of these compounds found in many aromatic plants for the treatment of respiratory and cardiovascular system diseases.
