oxytocin and Gastrointestinal-Hemorrhage

Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Ethics, Medical; Gastric Mucosa; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Oxytocin; Pituitary Hormones, Posterior; Prospective Studies; Stomach Diseases; Vasopressins

Aloysia triphylla is traditionally utilized for the treatment of menstrual colic (primary dysmenorrhea) in Mexico. Citral is the main chemical component found in Aloysia triphylla leaves extract. Primary dysmenorrhea is a very frequent gynecological disorder in menstruating women, affecting 30-60% of them. It is usually treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); although their effect is rapid, they possess many side effects. Due to these shortcomings, Mexican folk therapy is considered as a feasible alternative. The effects of the hexane extract of Aloysia triphylla and citral on uterine contractions were evaluated in vitro as well as their anti-inflammatory properties and gastric wound capabilities were assessed in vivo. The inhibitory effects on the contractions were analyzed using isolated uterus strips from estrogen primed rats. Contractions were induced by KCl 60 mM, oxytocin 10 mIU/mL, charbacol 10 µM and PGF(2α) 5 µM. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed on carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema model. The inhibitory concentration-50 (IC(50)) of the hexane extract of Aloysia triphylla upon each contractile response was for KCl 44.73 ± 2.48 µg/mL, oxytocin 42.16 ± 3.81 µg/mL, charbacol 41.87 ± 1.73 µg/mL and PGF(2α) 28.70 ± 2.40 µg/mL in a concentration-dependent way. The extract of Aloysia triphylla produced a significant inhibitory effect on PGF(2α)-induced contraction compared to its inhibitory actions on the others. Citral exhibited the same inhibitory effect on the contraction induced by PGF(2α). The oral administration of the extract (100-800 mg/kg) and citral (100-800 mg/kg) showed anti-inflammatory activity; furthermore, the maximal dose utilized did not produce gastric injury. These results were compared with anti-inflammatory effects and gastric damage produced by 30 mg/kg of indomethacin p.o. The spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects support the traditional use of Aloysia triphylla leaves in the treatment of the primary dysmenorrhea in Mexican communities.

Topics: Acyclic Monoterpenes; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Dinoprost; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; In Vitro Techniques; Incidence; Indomethacin; Models, Animal; Monoterpenes; Oxytocin; Parasympatholytics; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Potassium Chloride; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Uterine Contraction; Uterus; Verbenaceae

The authors report the experience which the have acquired since 1970 in the use of posterior pituitary extract as part of the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotics. 100 cases have been collected, in 73 patients. These may be divided into two groups: one of 32 patients, who did not receive posterior pituitary extract, with 31 deaths, and one of 41 patients who did receive the extract, with 6 deaths. These figures should be viewed in parallel with the results obtained by other techniques, and it would seem that comparison with other statistics is feasible. In addition, emphasis must be placed upon the simplicity of the administration and surveillance of treatment. Attention is also drawn to the absence of any inherent complication associated with the use of the drug, despite the administration, in certain cases, of high doses.

Topics: Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Injections; Liver Cirrhosis; Oxytocin; Pituitary Gland, Posterior; Tissue Extracts; Vasopressins