tannins and Constipation

Dryopteris ramosa (D. ramosa) is one of the most traded medicinally important plants of Himalayan region. Apart from other uses, D. ramosa is traditionally also used to treat gastric ulcers and as a laxative. The present study was designed to investigate the role of methanolic crude extract of Dryopteris Ramosa (MEDR) in acute toxicity, against loperamide induced constipated mice model, antiulcer effect of methanolic extract of D. Ramosa and cholinomimetic like effect of methanolic extract of D. Ramosa. The crude extract was investigated for the presence of active compounds (secondary metabolites) such as alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, and tannins following the standard methods. The antiulcer effect was investigated in mice using the ethanol induced ulcer model at various doses i.e. 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses. Constipation was induced in the mice via loperamide (3mg/kg body weight). The control group received normal saline. Different doses of plant extracts (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight/day) were administered for 7 days. Various parameters like feeding characteristics, gastrointestinal transit ratio, body weight, fecal properties and the possible mechanism of action of D. Ramosa on intestinal motility were monitored. Various Phytochemicals like saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, carbohydrate, alkaloids and triterpenes were found in D. Ramosa. The acute toxicity study showed that MEDR was associated with no mortality except mild and moderate sedation at the highest tested doses (1500 and 2000 mg/kg). MEDR also showed significant antiulcer activity against ethanol-induced ulcerogenesis. The extract enhanced the intestinal motility, normalized the body weight of constipated mice and increased the fecal volume which are indications of laxative property of the herb. The 200 mg/kg body weight dose of the extract was found effective. The presence of various Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, glycosides and tannins might be responsible for the antiulcer activity of D. Ramosa. This study provides the scientific background for the folkloric use of D. Ramosa as antiulcer agent. The laxative action of the extract compares positively with Duphalac, (standard laxative drug). These findings have therefore evidence scientific background to the folkloric use of the herb as a laxative agent.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Constipation; Dryopteris; Ethanol; Flavonoids; Gastrointestinal Motility; Laxatives; Loperamide; Methanol; Mice; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Saponins; Stomach Ulcer; Tannins; Toxicity Tests, Acute

To investigate the role of tannin-enriched extracts of Ecklonia cava (TEE) on the regulation of oxidative balance and laxative activity in chronic constipation, we investigated alterations after exposure to TEE, on constipation phenotypes, muscarinic cholinergic regulation, and oxidative stress responses in the transverse colons of SD rats with loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation. This extract contains high levels of total condensed tannin content (326.5 mg/g), and exhibited high inhibitory activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. TEE treatment induced significant improvements in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation in primary smooth muscles of rat intestine cells (pRISMCs) and transverse colon of constipation model. Also, Lop+TEE treated groups showed alleviated outcomes for the following: most stool parameters, gastrointestinal transit, and intestine length were remarkably recovered; a similar recovery pattern was observed in the histopathological structure, mucin secretion, water channel expression and gastrointestinal hormones secretion in the transverse colon; expressions of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors M2/M3 (mAChR M2/M3) and their mediators on muscarinic cholinergic regulation were significantly recovered. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence that TEE stimulates oxidative stress modulation and muscarinic cholinergic regulation when exerting its laxative effects in chronic constipation models.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Constipation; Gastrointestinal Transit; Laxatives; Loperamide; Male; Phaeophyceae; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tannins

Following injection sclerotherapy using ALTA (aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid) (ALTAS) and transanal rectocele repair (TAR), changes in anorectal physiology were analyzed to compare the significance of the two treatments.. ALTAS was administered to 23 patients and 18 patients were treated using TAR. Efficacy measures included changes in defecography, anorectal manometry and constipation scoring system value.. This was a retrospective cohort analysis conducted on prospectively collected data. Comparing anorectal physiology pre- and post- ALTAS, a statistically significant difference in push was observed with pre-ALTAS treatment (pre-A) at 104.33 ± 4.91° compared with post-ALTAS treatment (post-A) at 113.95 ± 4.74° (p < 0.001). With a pre-A value of 1.55 ± 0.18 cm and a post-A value of 2.46 ± 0.34 cm, perineal descent also showed an increase as well (p < 0.001). The rectocele size decreased post-A from a pre-A value of 7.74 ± 0.86 cm compared with a post-A value of 2.91 ± 0.52 cm (p < 0.001). The rectal sensation improved post-A compared with pre-A. Comparing anorectal physiology results of ALTAS and TAR treatments, no differences in defecography and rectal sensation were detected pre- and post-treatment. However, in terms of anorectal manometry, the mean resting pressure and maximal squeezing pressure showed statistical difference with two treatments.. ALTAS treatment is a feasible option resulting in rapid and effortless long-term outcome, with low rates of complications. Therefore, this treatment may be an effective alternative for patients with symptomatic rectocele.

Topics: Adult; Alum Compounds; Anal Canal; Constipation; Defecation; Defecography; Female; Humans; Injections; Middle Aged; Perineum; Rectocele; Rectum; Retrospective Studies; Sclerotherapy; Tannins; Treatment Outcome

This study was aimed to provide pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Phyllanthus emblica fruit in indigestion and constipation using the in-vivo and in-vitro assays. The crude extract of the dried fruits of Phyllanthus emblica (Pe.Cr) and its fractions were tested positive for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, sterols and coumarins. Pe.Cr at the doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg exhibited the prokinetic and laxative activities in mice, which were found partially sensitive to atropine. In isolated guinea-pig ileum and rabbit jejunum, the crude extract and its aqueous fraction (Pe.Aq) caused concentration-dependent and partially atropine-sensitive stimulatory effects followed by relaxation at higher tested concentrations, being more efficacious in guinea pig, while more potent in rabbit tissues. The petroleum fraction (0.003-0.1 mg/mL) exhibited fully atropine-sensitive contractions in both guinea-pig and rabbit tissues. However, the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions (0.003-1.0 mg/mL) showed only spasmolytic activity when studied in spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum. This study showed that the Phyllanthus emblica possesses prokinetic and laxative activities in mice along with spasmodic effect in the isolated tissues of guinea pig and rabbit, mediated partially through activation of muscarinic receptors; thus, this study provides a rationale for the medicinal use of Phyllanthus emblica fruits in indigestion and constipation.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Atropine; Constipation; Coumarins; Dyspepsia; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; Jejunum; Laxatives; Mice; Muscle Contraction; Parasympatholytics; Phyllanthus emblica; Plant Extracts; Rabbits; Receptors, Muscarinic; Saponins; Sterols; Tannins; Terpenes

Urginea indica Kunth. (Family; Liliaceae) was studied for its gastrointestinal stimulant effect to rationalize the traditional medicinal uses as a digestive aid, stomachic and laxative. The crude aqueous-methanol extract of Urginea indica bulb (Ui.Cr) was tested on mice and isolated gut preparations. Ui.Cr, which was tested positive for alkaloids, tannins and coumarins, increased faecal output and accelerated charcoal meal transit in mice (6-12 mg/kg, p.o.), similar to that caused by carbachol (10 mg/kg). Ui.Cr (0.01-1 mg/mL) caused a spasmogenic effect in guinea-pig ileum that was reproduced in rabbit jejunum (0.01-0.3 mg/mL) followed by relaxation at a higher concentration. Like carbachol, the stimulant effect of Ui.Cr was blocked by atropine, suggesting the activation of muscarinic receptors mediating the prokinetic effect. Ui.Cr (0.01-5.0 mg/mL) also inhibited K(+) (80 mm)-induced contraction in rabbit jejunum and shifted the Ca(2+) concentration-response curves to the right, similar to verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. These data, indicating the presence of a gastrointestinal stimulant effect in Urginea indica possibly mediated through a cholinergic mechanism, provide a rationale for the use of Urginea indica in indigestion and constipation. The presence of a calcium antagonist effect in the plant may help to alleviate untoward effects of the plant that may result from an excessive increase in gut motility.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Atropine; Calcium Channel Blockers; Cholinergic Agents; Constipation; Coumarins; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drimia; Female; Gastrointestinal Motility; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; Jejunum; Laxatives; Male; Mice; Muscle Contraction; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Plants, Medicinal; Rabbits; Receptors, Muscarinic; Tannins

Fumaria parviflora Linn. (Fumariaceae), is a small branched annual herb found in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This study was designed to provide pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Fumaria parviflora in gut motility disorders.. The in-vivo prokinetic and laxative assays were conducted in mice. Isolated intestinal preparations (ileum and jejunum) from different animal species (mouse, guinea-pig and rabbit) were separately suspended in tissue baths containing Tyrode's solution bubbled with carbogen and maintained at 37°C. The spasmogenic responses were recorded using isotonic transducers coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system.. The aqueous-methanol extract of Fumaria parviflora (Fp.Cr), which tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and anthraquinones showed partially atropine-sensitive prokinetic and laxative activities in the in-vivo in mice at 30 and 100 mg/kg. In the in-vitro studies, Fp.Cr (0.01-1 mg/ml) caused a concentration-dependent atropine-sensitive stimulatory effect both in mouse tissues (jejunum and ileum), and rabbit jejunum but had no effect in rabbit ileum. In guinea-pig tissues (ileum and jejunum), the crude extract showed a concentration-dependent stimulatory effect with higher efficacy in ileum and the effect was partially blocked by atropine, indicating the involvement of more than one types of gut-stimulant components (atropine-sensitive and insensitive). This could be a plausible reason for the greater efficacy of Fp.Cr in gut preparations of guinea-pig than in rabbit or mouse.. This study shows the prokinetic, laxative and spasmodic effects of the plant extract partially mediated through cholinergic pathways with species and tissue-selectivity, and provides a sound rationale for the medicinal use of Fumaria parviflora in gut motility disorders such as, indigestion and constipation. This study also suggests using different species to know better picture of pharmacological profile of the test material.

Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Anthraquinones; Atropine; Constipation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dyspepsia; Female; Fumaria; Gastrointestinal Motility; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; Jejunum; Laxatives; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Parasympatholytics; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Rabbits; Saponins; Signal Transduction; Spasm; Tannins

Oak poisoning occurred in crossbred cattle due to eating immature tender oak (Quercus incana) leaves. Mortality was 70%. The animals exhibited anorexia, severe constipation and brisket edema. The feces were hard, pelleted and coated with blood and mucous. Significant reductions in blood hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and significant elevations in serum bilirubin were observed. Serum urea nitrogen and creatinine were greatly increased. There was bilirubinuria, proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and hypocalcemia, and greatly increased activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. The levels of tannins and condensed tannins were 97.7 mg tannic acid equivalent and 5.8 mg catechin equivalent/g of dry leaves. There was extensive nephro- and hepatotoxicity in the affected cattle due to hydrolysable tannins and simple phenols in the oak leaves.

Topics: Anemia, Hemolytic; Animals; Anorexia; Blood Cells; Blood Chemical Analysis; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Constipation; Edema; Feces; Hypothermia; Kidney Diseases; Liver Diseases; Phenols; Plant Poisoning; Polyuria; Tannins; Trees