OBJECTIVEAcute diarrhea is one of the major illnesses that cause death in children, despite clinical interventions and the use of oral rehydration therapy. Thus, there is need to discover other effective, affordable and accessible treatments for this disease. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of hexane extract of Citrus limon peel (HECLP) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats.

METHODSDiarrhea was induced in male albino Wistar rats weighing 100-150 g. The antidiarrheal activity of HECLP at different oral dosages (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) was investigated by counting the number of wet fecal pellets. Animals were further treated with propranolol, prazosin, nifedipine and atropine to assess the effects of receptor blockers on the activities of the extract. The effects of HECLP on castor oil-induced enteropooling and the intestinal transit time of activated charcoal were also evaluated.

RESULTSEach of the 3 doses of C. limon significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the number of wet fecal pellets produced by animals, with 20 mg/kg HECLP producing the highest percentage inhibition (34.2%). Wet fecal pellet inhibition by the standard drug loperamide (3 mg/kg p.o.) was 68.4% relative to the negative control. Blockage of β adrenergic receptors by propanolol abolished the antidiarrheal effects of HECLP. Intestinal fluid accumulation was inhibited by 68.7% and 78.5% by 20 mg/kg HECLP and loperamide respectively. Furthermore, 20 mg/kg HECLP significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the percentage intestinal transit time (21.4% ± 1.42%), relative to the control (34.2% ± 4.29%); atropine (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the percentage intestinal transit time to 11.2% ± 0.85%.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that C. limon peel possesses antidiarrheal effects through antisecretory and antimotility mechanisms that act through the β adrenergic system.

Animals ; Antidiarrheals ; pharmacology ; Citrus ; Diarrhea ; drug therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic mechanism of Zhizhu Pill (ZP) for treating functional dyspepsia (FD) rats.

METHODSTotally 30 ten-day-old male rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n =10) and the model group (n = 20). The FD rat model was induced using gastric administration of 0.1% iodoacetamide (IA) combined tail clamping. The model was evaluated when rats were 8-week old. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group (n = 10) and the ZP group (n = 10). Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, while those in the ZP group were administered with ZP Decoction (2 mL/100 g) by gastrogavage. All medication lasted for 7 successive days. The contractile activity in in vitro longitudinal gastric muscle was recorded using Power Lab biological signal collecting system. The expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in stomach of FD rats was detected using Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, average frequencies of gastric contraction and changing rates of amplitude obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Results of Western blot and IHC showed that the expression of GHSR decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, average frequencies of gastric contraction and changing rates of amplitude obviously increased in the ZP group (P < 0.05). Results of Western blot and IHC showed that the expression of GHSR increased in the ZP group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZP could promote the gastric motility in FD rats induced by gastric administration of IA combined tail clamping, and its mechanism might be related to up-regulating GHSR protein level.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Dyspepsia ; drug therapy ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Receptors, Ghrelin ; metabolism

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of paralytic ileus after spinal operation in the supine or prone operative position and to determine the efficacy of prophylactic gastrointestinal motility medications in preventing symptomatic paralytic ileus after a spinal operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients received spinal surgery in the supine or prone operative position. The study period was divided into two phases: first, to analyze the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic paralytic ileus after a spinal operation, and second, to determine the therapeutic effects of prophylactic gastrointestinal motility medications (postoperative intravenous injection of scopolamine butylbromide and metoclopramide hydrochloride) on symptomatic paralytic ileus after a spinal operation. RESULTS: Basic demographic data were not different. In the first phase of this study, 27 patients (32.9%) with radiographic paralytic ileus and 11 patients (13.4%) with symptomatic paralytic ileus were observed. Radiographic paralytic ileus was more often noted in patients who underwent an operation in the prone position (p=0.044); whereas the occurrence of symptomatic paralytic ileus was not different between the supine and prone positioned patients (p=0.385). In the second phase, prophylactic medications were shown to be ineffective in preventing symptomatic paralytic ileus after spinal surgery [symptomatic paralytic ileus was observed in 11.1% (4/36) with prophylactic medication and 16.7% (5/30) with a placebo, p=0.513]. CONCLUSION: Spinal surgery in the prone position was shown to increase the likelihood of radiographic paralytic ileus occurrence, but not symptomatic paralytic ileus. Unfortunately, the prophylactic medications to prevent symptomatic paralytic ileus after spine surgery were shown to be ineffective.
Adjuvants, Anesthesia/*administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiemetics/*administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility/*drug effects/physiology ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction/drug therapy/epidemiology/*prevention & control ; Lumbar Vertebrae/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Metoclopramide/*administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Prone Position ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide/*administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Spinal Fusion/*adverse effects ; Supine Position ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postprandial symptoms of fullness and abdominal discomfort are common after fatty meals. Gastric lipases hydrolyze 10% to 20% of dietary triglycerides during the stomach trituration period of digestion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acid-resistant lipase on upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including fullness and bloating, as well as on gastric myoelectrical activity after healthy subjects ingested a high-fat, liquid meal. METHODS: This study utilized a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design with 16 healthy volunteers who ingested either a capsule containing 280 mg of acid-resistant lipase or a placebo immediately before a fatty meal (355 calories, 55% fat). Participants rated their stomach fullness, bloating, and nausea before and at timed intervals for 60 minutes after the meal. Electrogastrograms were obtained to assess the gastric myoelectrical activity. RESULTS: Stomach fullness, bloating, and nausea increased significantly 10 minutes after ingestion of the fatty meal (p<0.01), whereas normal gastric myoelectrical activity decreased and tachygastria increased (p<0.05). With lipase, reports of stomach fullness were significantly lower compared with placebo (p<0.05), but no effect on gastric myoelectrical activity or other upper gastrointestinal symptoms was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The high-fat meal induced transient fullness, bloating, nausea, and tachygastria in healthy individuals, consistent with post-prandial distress syndrome. Acid-resistant lipase supplementation significantly decreased stomach fullness.
Abdominal Pain/etiology/psychology ; Adult ; Cross-Over Studies ; Diet, High-Fat/*adverse effects/psychology ; *Dietary Supplements ; Double-Blind Method ; Dyspepsia/etiology/*prevention & control/psychology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility/drug effects/physiology ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Lipase/*administration & dosage ; Male ; Meals ; Middle Aged ; Myoelectric Complex, Migrating ; Nausea/etiology/psychology ; Postprandial Period ; Stomach/*drug effects/physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of the panthenol-glutamine on intestinal damage and motor function of intestine in rats with burn injury as well as its dose-effect relationship.

METHODS(1) Experiment 1. Ninety SD rats were divided into groups A-I according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in groups A-I were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness burn and fed by gavage with panthenol and glutamine at post injury hour (PIH) 4, in the whole dosage of 1.00 and 4, 0.50 and 4, 0.25 and 4, 1.00 and 2, 0.50 and 2, 0.25 and 2, 1.00 and 1, 0.50 and 1, 0.25 and 1 g·kg(-1)·d(-1). The feeding was carried out twice a day to achieve the total dosage in 7 days. On drug withdrawal day, blood and intestinal tissue were harvested to detect the intestinal propulsion index, diamine oxidase (DAO) activity in serum, and the content of acetylcholine and intestinal mucosa protein. The best proportion of panthenol and glutamine was screened. (2) Experiment 2. Seventy SD rats were divided into normal control (NC), burn (B), burn+panthenol (B+P), burn+glutamine (B+G), and burn+low, moderate, or high dose of panthenol-glutamine (B+LPG, B+MPG, B+HPG) groups according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the latter 6 groups were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness burn. Rats in the latter 5 groups were fed by gavage with panthenol and (or) glutamine at PIH 4. Rats in group B+P were fed with panthenol for 1 g·kg(-1)·d(-1), rats in group B+G with glutamine for 4 g·kg(-1)·d(-1), rats in groups B+LPG, B+MPG, and B+HPG with panthenol and glutamine in the dosage of 0.50 and 2, 1.00 and 4, 2.00 and 8 g·kg(-1)·d(-1). The feeding was carried out twice a day to achieve the total dosage for 7 days. The indexes and time point for observation were the same as those of experiment 1. Meanwhile, the pathological change in intestine was observed. The same process was carried out in the rats of group NC. Data were processed with factorial designed analysis of variance (ANOVA), one-way ANOVA and Fisher's exact probability test. LSD was applied for paired comparison.

RESULTS(1) The values of intestinal propulsion index and intestinal mucosa protein content in groups A and B were close (with P values all above 0.05), and were significantly higher than those of the other 7 groups (with P values all below 0.01). Content of acetylcholine in group A was significantly higher than that of the other 8 groups (with P values all below 0.01). DAO activity in groups A, D, and E was close in value (with P values all above 0.05), and all of the values were significantly lower than those of the other 6 groups (with P values all below 0.01). The best proportion of panthenol and glutamine was 1.00 and 4 g·kg(-1)·d(-1). (2) Compared with those of group NC, the intestinal propulsion index, the contents of acetylcholine and intestinal mucosa protein were decreased significantly, while the DAO activity obviously increased in group B (with P values all below 0.01); the intestinal propulsion index was decreased significantly in group B+P (P < 0.01); the intestinal propulsion index and content of acetylcholine were decreased significantly in group B+G (with P values all below 0.01); the intestinal propulsion index was decreased significantly in group B+LPG (P < 0.01); no obvious change was observed in groups B+MPG and B+HPG (with P values all above 0.05). Compared with those of group B [0.50 ± 0.07, (69 ± 10) µg/mL, (26 ± 11) µg/g, (0.672 ± 0.145) U/mL], the contents of acetylcholine and intestinal mucosa protein were increased significantly, DAO activity decreased significantly in group B+P (with P values all below 0.01); the contents of intestinal mucosa protein was increased significantly, DAO activity decreased significantly in group B+G (with P values all below 0.01); the contents of acetylcholine and intestinal mucosa protein were increased significantly in group B+LPG (with P values all below 0.01); the intestinal propulsion index, the contents of acetylcholine and intestinal mucosa protein were increased significantly, while the DAO activity obviously decreased in groups B+MPG and B+HPG [0.66 ± 0.07, 0.68 ± 0.05; (163 ± 24), (168 ± 15) µg/mL; (57 ± 7), (57 ± 7) µg/g; (0.203 ± 0.070), (0.193 ± 0.068) U/mL, with P values all below 0.01]. The levels of the four indexes in groups B+MPG and B+HPG were close or the same in values (with P values all above 0.05). Compared with those of group B, the numbers of rats with irregularly arranged villi in group B+P were decreased significantly (P < 0.05); the numbers of rats with villi decreased in height, irregularly arranged villi, and neutrophil infiltration in group B+G were decreased significantly (with P values all below 0.05); the numbers of rats with villi decreased in height, irregularly arranged villi, degeneration and necrosis of cells, and neutrophil infiltration in group B+LPG were decreased significantly (with P values all below 0.05); the numbers of rats with villi decreased in height and number, irregularly arranged villi, degeneration and necrosis of cells, and neutrophil infiltration in groups B+MPG and B+HPG were decreased significantly (with P values all below 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between group B+HPG and group B+MPG for the former mentioned five indexes (with P values all above 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombined application of panthenol and glutamine can obviously reduce intestinal mucosa damage and promote gastrointestinal motility of rats with burn injury, and they show curative effect superior to exclusive use of either of the two drugs. The best proportion of panthenol and glutamine is 1.00 and 4 g·kg(-1)·d(-1).

Animals ; Burns ; physiopathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Glutamine ; pharmacology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Intestine, Small ; Intestines ; drug effects ; Male ; Pantothenic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis.

METHODSForty cases of gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis were randomized into an acupuncture group and a motilium group, 20 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, electroacupuncture was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) for 30 min, once a day. In the motilium group, on the basis of the conventional treatment, motilium was taken orally 30 min before meals, 10 mg each time, three times a day. The treatment was required for 2 weeks in both groups. The changes in the digestive tract symptom score and liver function Child-Pugh score were observed and the efficacy was assessed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of digestive tract symptoms was 85.0% (17/20) in the acupuncture group and 70.0% (14/20) in the motilium group. The score improvements in abdominal distention, belching and vomiting in the acupuncture group were superior to those in the motilium group (all P < 0.05). In the acupuncture group, the liver function Child-Pugh total score was 8.40 +/- 0.22 before treatment and reduced to 5.36 +/- 0.17 after treatment, in which the scores for ascites, serum bilirubin and albumin were all reduced (all P < 0.05) and the reducing range was increased in tendency with the improvements in digestive tract symptoms. In the motilium group, Child-Pugh score was not changed obviously as compared with that before treatment. CONCLUSION Acupuncture effectively alleviates digestive tract symptoms and improves liver function for the patients of liver cirrhosis, its efficacy on gastrointestinal dysmotility in liver cirrhosis is superior to motilium.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Domperidone ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Postoperative ileus (POI) is an impairment of coordinated gastrointestinal (GI) motility that develops as a consequence of abdominal surgery and is a major factor contributing to patient morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 (5-HT4) receptor agonists, which stimulate excitatory pathways, on a POI model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental model of POI in guinea pigs was created by laparotomy, gentle manipulation of the cecum for 60 seconds, and closure by suture, all under anesthesia. Different degrees of restoration of GI transit were measured by the migration of charcoal. Colonic transit was indirectly assessed via measurement of fecal pellet output every hour for 5 hours after administration of various doses of mosapride, tegaserod, prucalopride, and 5-HT. RESULTS: Charcoal transit assay showed that various 5-HT4 receptor agonists can accelerate delayed upper GI transit in a dose-dependent manner. However, fecal pellet output assay suggested that only prucalopride had a significant effect in accelerating colonic motility in POI. CONCLUSION: Although mosapride, tegaserod, and prucalopride produce beneficial effects to hasten upper GI transit in the POI model, prucalopride administered orally restores lower GI transit as well as upper GI transit after operation in a conscious guinea pig. This drug may serve as a useful candidate for examination in a clinical trial for POI.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Benzamides/pharmacology ; Benzofurans/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Charcoal/pharmacokinetics ; Colon/drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gastrointestinal Motility/*drug effects ; Guinea Pigs ; Ileus/*surgery ; Indoles/pharmacology ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Morpholines/pharmacology ; Postoperative Complications/drug therapy ; Serotonin/pharmacology ; Serotonin 5-HT4 Receptor Agonists/*pharmacology

To explore the effect of Xiaoer Fuxie Waifu powder on gastrointestinal dynamics. In the study, the charcoal powder propelling test was used to observe the effect Xiaoer Fuxie Waifu powder on the intestinal motility of normal mice and deficient diarrheal mice. The results showed that Xiaoer Fuxie Waifu powder had no obvious inhibitory effect on the powder propelling in normal mice, but a remarkable inhibitory effect on deficient diarrheal mice. Afterwards, diarrhea index was used to observe the effect on deficient diarrheal mice. The results showed a good anti-diarrhea effect in deficient diarrheal mice induced by folium sennae. According to the subsequent isolated intestines smooth muscle test, Xiaoer Fuxie Waifu powder showed a competitive antagonism on muscular tension caused by acetyl choline and barium chloride, as well as a certain synergistic action with atropine. Finally, the method of radio-immunity was used to determine the contents of SP and VIP in small intestine of mice, showing that SP and VIP in small intestine of mice were decreased and the motility of intestine was inhibited. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that Xiaoer Fuxie Waifu powder is a good traditional Chinese gastrointestinal dynamic medicine for external application, with an anti-diarrhea effect on diarrhea mice induced by spleen deficiency and diarrhea.
Animals ; Antidiarrheals ; therapeutic use ; Diarrhea ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; drug effects ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mice ; Powders ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo elucidate potential antioxidant, antidiarrheal, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activities of the ethanol extract of Alocasia indica Schott tuber in different experimental models established in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSIn vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay. Phenolic content was estimated by using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent while reducing ability was measured by ferric reducing power assay. In vivo antidiarrheal studies were carried out in mice, and the activity was evaluated in castor oil and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. Disk diffusion assay was utilized to determine antibacterial activity against a number of pathogenic bacterial strains. Acute toxicity test was carried out to measure the safe doses for the extract.

RESULTSIn DPPH radical-scavenging assay, the extract exhibited strong radical-scavenging activity with the 50% inhibitory concentration value of 42.66 μg/mL. Total phenolic content was found to be 542.26 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dried tuber extract, whereas flavonoid content was found to be 4.30 mg quercetin equivalent/g of dried tuber extract. In reducing power assay, the extract showed strong reducing power in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced the latent period and decreased defecation in both castor oil- and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. The extract also lessened gastrointestinal motility in mice. Potential antibacterial activity was exhibited by the extract against all the tested bacterial strains in disk diffusion assay. The 50% lethal concentration against brine shrimp nauplii was 81.09 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrated that the ethanol extract of A. indica has potential antioxidant, antidiarrheal, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activity.

Alocasia ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antidiarrheals ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Artemia ; drug effects ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; toxicity

AIM: Euphorbia kansui (E. KS) is a traditional medicine used in China for thousands of years with the effect of propulsion in the gastrointestines. However, there is no reported study of E. KS on gastrointestinal motility until now. The aim of this work is to study the effect of E. KS on the propulsion of gastrointestines, and to elucidate the possible mechanism of action. METHODS: E.KS was prepared as a 30% ethanol extract and used for the experiment of small and large intestines of mice by oral administration with three different dosages (1.2, 0.6 and 0.3 g·kg(-1)). The feces were observed in vivo. The morphology was carried out to detect if there are any changes in the intestines after the extract of E. KS administration. The assays of mRNA and protein expression were employed to observe IL-1β, TNFα and caspase 3. RESULTS: It was shown that the extract of E.KS promoted diarrhea in mouse feces after administration, inhibited the contraction of smooth muscle of mouse small intestine and caused the inflammatory exudation on the mucosa of the intestines, enhanced the expression of both mRNA and the protein levels of IL-1β and TNFα in the small or large intestines. CONCLUSION The results showed that the extract of E. KS acted on the intestinal smooth muscle with propulsion of feces involving the irritation of the intestines with acute inflammatory reactions.
Animals ; Diarrhea ; etiology ; genetics ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Euphorbia ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Intestines ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Plant Roots ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology