[Effect of a dry boldo extract on oro-cecal intestinal transit in healthy volunteers].
BACKGROUND
Boldo (Peumus boldus Molina) is a widely used medicinal plant. However, its physiological effects are not well known. Recent studies in animals showed that certain components of boldo relax smooth muscle and prolong intestinal transit.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of a dry boldo extract on oro cecal transit time in normal humans.


METHODS
Twelve volunteers received 2.5 g of a dry boldo extract or a placebo (glucose) during two successive periods of four days. On the fourth day, 20 g of lactulose were administered and breath hydrogen was collected every 15 min. Oro cecal transit time was defined as the time in which breath hydrogen increased by 20 ppm over the fasting level.


RESULTS
Oro cecal transit time was larger after dry boldo extract administration, compared to placebo (112.5 +/- 15.4 and 87 +/- 11.8 min respectively, paired t p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Dry boldo extract prolongs oro cecal transit time, a possible explanation for its medicinal use.
Gotteland
M
M
Unidad de Gastroenterología, INTA, Santiago de Chile.
Espinoza
J
J
Cassels
B
B
Speisky
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D010936:Plant Extracts
Effecto de un extracto seco de boldo sobre el tránsito intestinal oro-cecal en voluntarios sanos.