scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety Assessment of T. Angelica Herbal Tonic, a Phytomedicinal Product Popularly Used in Nigeria

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles O. Esimone ◽  
Peter A. Akah ◽  
Chukwuemeka S. Nworu

T. Angelica Herbal Tonic (TAHT) is a herbal product indicated for indigestion and constipation and highly patronized in Nigeria. In this study, the efficacy and safety of the herbal tonic in relation to the label claims were assessed. The effect on peristalsis in mice was evaluated by the charcoal meal model andin vitrousing guinea pig ileum. The effects of TAHT on behavior, fertility, birth and organ weights were also determined. Teratogenic potential and reproductive toxicity were studied in pregnant rats. Acute toxicity studies showed that at doses above 5000 mg kg−1, the herbal tonic did not cause lethality and produced no signs of intoxication in mice. The study did not show any gross behavioral changes in mice treated with 1000 mg kg−1of TAHT as compared with the negative control treatment. TAHT (400 mg kg−1) exhibited a dose-dependent enhancement in the gastrointestinal tract motility in mice when compared with the negative control. At concentrations up to 300 μg mL−1, TAHT did not cause any significant effect on acetylcholine, histamine and nicotine-evoked contractions of guinea pig ileum preparation. It took an average of 31.25 ± 4.52 days for the TAHT-treated animals to litter, which is significantly (P< .05) different from the 55 ± 4.51 days recorded for the control treatment group. TAHT exhibited a modest fertility-promoting effect and showed lack of abortifacient and teratogenic properties in the study. Generally, the results of this study showed some favorable pharmacological effects of TAHT in animals which may authenticate some of the label claims.

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (5) ◽  
pp. G1127-G1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. MacNaughton ◽  
B. Moore ◽  
S. Vanner

This study characterized tachykinin-evoked secretomotor responses in in vitro submucosal and mucosal-submucosal preparations of the guinea pig ileum using combined intracellular and Ussing chamber recording techniques. Superfusion of endogenous tachykinins substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), and neurokinin B depolarized single submucosal neurons and evoked increased short-circuit current ( I sc) responses in Ussing chamber preparations. The NK1-receptor agonist [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP [50% effective concentration (EC50) = 2 nM] depolarized all submucosal neurons examined. The NK3-receptor agonist senktide (EC50 = 20 nM) depolarized ∼50% of neurons examined, whereas the NK2-receptor agonist [Ala5,β-Ala8]NKA-(4—10) had no effect on membrane potential. [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP and senktide evoked similar increases in I sc that were tetrodotoxin sensitive (91 and 100%, respectively) and were selectively blocked by the NK1antagonist CP-99,994 and the NK3antagonist SR-142801, respectively. Capsaicin-evoked increases in I sc were significantly inhibited (54%, P < 0.05) by CP-99,994 but not by SR-142801. Neither antagonist inhibited slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials. These findings suggest that tachykinin-evoked secretion in guinea pig ileum is mediated by NK1 and NK3 receptors on submucosal secretomotor neurons and that capsaicin-sensitive nerves release tachykinin(s) that activate the NK1 receptors.


1959 ◽  
Vol 197 (4) ◽  
pp. 926-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Hastings Wilson ◽  
Elliott W. Strauss

Sacs of everted small intestine from a variety of animals were incubated in bicarbonate-saline containing vitamin B12 with and without intrinsic factor (IF). B12 uptake by rat intestine was stimulated only by its own intrinsic factor. Guinea pig ileum responded to all intrinsic factors tested (guinea pig, rat, hog, hamster, human being and rabbit). The intestines of hamster and rabbit were intermediate in specificity, responding to some, but not all, of the IF preparations. Species differences occur in both the intestine and intrinsic factor preparations. The guinea pig ileum was suggested as a possible assay for both hog and human IF.


1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (5) ◽  
pp. G509-G514 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. Teitelbaum ◽  
T. M. O'Dorisio ◽  
W. E. Perkins ◽  
T. S. Gaginella

The peptides caerulein, neurotensin, somatostatin, and substance P modulate the activity of intestinal neurons and alter gut motility. We examined the effects of these peptides on acetylcholine release from the myenteric plexus and intestinal contractility in vitro. Caerulein (1 X 10(-9) M), neurotensin (1.5 X 10(-6) M), and substance P (1 X 10(-7) M) significantly enhanced the release of [3H]acetylcholine from the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig ileum. This effect was inhibited by tetrodotoxin (1.6 X 10(-6) M). Somatostatin (10(-6) M) inhibited caerulein- and neurotensin-evoked release of acetylcholine but did not inhibit release induced by substance P. Caerulein, neurotensin, and substance P caused contraction of the guinea pig ileal longitudinal muscle. Somatostatin inhibited the contractions induced by caerulein and neurotensin. In contrast, substance P-induced contraction was not inhibited significantly by somatostatin. Thus, in the guinea pig ileum, caerulein-, neurotensin-, and substance P-induced contractility is due, at least in part, to acetylcholine release from the myenteric plexus. The ability of somatostatin to inhibit peptide-induced contractility is selective, and its mechanism may be attributed to inhibition of acetylcholine release.


2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (2) ◽  
pp. G273-G280 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Moore ◽  
S. Vanner

This study examined synaptic inputs from myenteric neurons innervating submucosal neurons. Intracellular recordings were obtained from submucosal S neurons in guinea pig ileal preparations in vitro, and synaptic inputs were recorded in response to electrical stimulation of exposed myenteric plexus. Most S neurons received synaptic inputs [>80% fast (f) excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP), >30% slow (s) EPSPs] from the myenteric plexus. Synaptic potentials were recorded significant distances aboral (fEPSPs, 25 mm; sEPSPs, 10 mm) but not oral to the stimulating site. When preparations were studied in a double-chamber bath that chemically isolated the stimulating “myenteric chamber” from the recording side “submucosal chamber,” all fEPSPs were blocked by hexamethonium in the submucosal chamber, but not by a combination of nicotinic, purinergic, and 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonists in the myenteric chamber. In 15% of cells, a stimulus train elicited prolonged bursts of fEPSPs (>30 s duration) that were blocked by hexamethonium. These findings suggest that most submucosal S neurons receive synaptic inputs from predominantly anally projecting myenteric neurons. These inputs are poised to coordinate intestinal motility and secretion.


1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (4) ◽  
pp. G421-G425 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Cooke ◽  
M. Montakhab ◽  
P. R. Wade ◽  
J. D. Wood

Transmural movement of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was studied in guinea pig small intestine in vitro in order to test the hypothesis that there is mucosal 5-HT barrier in this species. Segments of guinea pig ileum were mounted as flat sheets in flux chambers or were everted and perfused. Mucosal-to-serosal (Jm leads to s) and serosal-to-mucosal (Js leads to m) fluxes of 5-HT were measured in the absence of 5-HT gradients and under open- or short-circuited conditions. The results indicated that substantial transmural movement of 5-HT occurred in these preparations. Both Jm leads to s and Js leads to m were linear functions of the 5-HT concentration over a range of 1-30 microM and were not significantly different in the two directions. Addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol to both sides of the tissue reduced short-circuit current to zero and increased both tissue conductance and unidirectional 5-HT fluxes. These results suggested that the 5-HT fluxes across the guinea pig ileum occurred by passive mechanisms. Fluxes of 5-HT across preparations with the muscularis externa removed were not significantly different from fluxes across intact preparations. Mucosal-to-serosal 5-HT fluxes in everted perfused sacs were comparable with fluxes in the flat-sheet preparations. The data are not consistent with the hypothesis of a "tissue barrier" that functions to prevent 5-HT from reaching serotonergic receptors on enteric ganglion cells or enteroendocrine cells.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (2) ◽  
pp. G203-G209 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vanner ◽  
W. K. MacNaughton

This study examined whether capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves regulate intestinal ion transport using both Ussing chamber and intracellular recording techniques in in vitro submucosal preparations from the guinea pig ileum. In Ussing chamber studies, serosal application of capsaicin (20 nM-20 microM) evoked a biphasic dose-dependent increase in short-circuit current (Isc) (maximal effective concentration 200 nM and 2 microM, respectively). In chloride-free buffer, capsaicin responses were significantly reduced. Capsaicin evoked little or no response when extrinsic sensory nerve fibers had been surgically removed and tetrodotoxin and low-calcium and high-magnesium solutions blocked responses to capsaicin. In epithelial preparations devoid of submucosal neurons, capsaicin had virtually no effect, suggesting that responses evoked by capsaicin-sensitive nerves result from activation of submucosal secretomotor neurons. Intracellular recordings from single submucosal neurons demonstrated that superfusion with capsaicin (2 microM) depolarized neurons with an associated decreased conductance. Depolarizations were completely desensitized when capsaicin was reapplied, but synaptic inputs were unaffected. This study suggests that capsaicin-sensitive nerves can regulate ion transport in the gastrointestinal tract by release of neurotransmitter(s) that activate submucosal secretomotor neurons.


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